Britney Spears

[pallisers]

I know it is a story of more US interest (all over NPR and NYT today) but I am really shocked - but not surprised - by the Britney Spears legal action and wonder what others think.

I remember many years ago thinking she was experiencing post-natal depression or whatever as much of her mental health issues arose after the births of her children (very close together if I remember correctly). But since then she has been in a conservetorship - basically her father ran her finances/life/choices etc for the past 13 years. Meanwhile she was capable of earning millions of dollars as a performer in Vegas but not apparently capable of making her own life decisions? It is like looking at a picture drawn by a child of "Patriarchy". Did Robert Downey Jr spend 13 years with no control over his own money? Did any of the many male performers who struggled with addiction or mental health problems?

www.nytimes.com/live/2021/06/23/arts/britney-spears-conservatorship

[Naimee87]

I watched the documentary on this after having no clue this was happening to her. And i loved her growing up! I believe her father and the lawyer involved are profiting massively from her earnings who knows who else as well. And she is limited to spending nothing of her earnings or so it seems. So it is all kinds of wrong to have her still under this conservatorship. I agree the original poster that never has a man been held under strict control ( that we know of i suppose ) Its evident in the documentary that she shot to fame very quickly with very few people on her side and looking out for her 'safety/well-being'. The interview clips were tough to watch as she was attacked quite viciously by the interviewers and completely left to fend for herself. Her break-down was a result of being bombarded daily by the press/paparazzi hell-bent on spinning any story on her so as to paint her as being completely mad. Perhaps at one point her family did need to step in but this has gone too far. Interestingly her brother was the only family member to actively give an interview in the documentary. No other family member including her father offered any comment.

[AfternoonToffee]

I don't feel I know enough to comment, but it does seem her father is the issue here, the courts need to free her of him.

[AdelindSchade]

American Lawyer on Lorraine just saying it is usually used for people with significant, permanent cognitive issues who cannot make basic decisions without support. Was very much of the opinion that it is not appropriate in Britney's case and has been used to control her more than to care for her.

[anon12345678901]

@Whinge

I think the courts will find it hard to justify keeping a woman under such strict ruling as this.

You would hope, but if I remember correctly this isn't the first time it's been to court.

I know, it's the first time her proper testimony has been heard to the public though, as far as I know. I hope that it makes a difference. I feel for her

[StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind]

@AdelindSchade

American Lawyer on Lorraine just saying it is usually used for people with significant, permanent cognitive issues who cannot make basic decisions without support. Was very much of the opinion that it is not appropriate in Britney's case and has been used to control her more than to care for her.

This. 'Unwell' doesn't mean that the conservatorship is appropriate or has remained in place with her best interests at heart.

And indeed I strongly suspect she would be a lot more well with decent people around her who were actually acting in her interests rather than their own.

[Whinge]

And indeed I strongly suspect she would be a lot more well with decent people around her who were actually acting in her interests rather than their own.

I agree. Why would her dad and others would want the conservatorship to end, when they benefit greatly from it being in place.

[Quaggars]

Just trying to get my head round this, watching on the news.
OK, I imagine years ago decisions were made for her, but now, all these years later?
It's horrendous how she as a grown adult seems to have absolutely no control over her own life.

[Horehound]

Her father has said he is sorry for Britney feeling hurt by him and his decisions..if he actually gave a shit why not give his control over to someone else.
He's a disgusting man

[Horehound]

Listening to her, she sounds like she would be able to make decisions...she sounds normal!

[Whinge]

@Horehound

Listening to her, she sounds like she would be able to make decisions...she sounds normal!

You seem surprised? It suspect pretty much everything we've seen from her in the last few years has been approved by her family / dad before being released to the public. They have a vested interest in keeping her under control, and it suits them to portray her as an unwell woman to the outside world.

[ComDummings]

If she needs the conservatorship that’s one thing, but it’s obvious her father is benefitting financially from it so he should be removed and a team of independent conservators should be found. It is so wrong she’s so ‘unwell’ but she could work for years while being ‘unwell’ and under the conservatorship. There are too many people leeching off her, her parents, the lawyers her father is using at her expense. Probably all the doctors on the payroll. They need someone with a fresh set of eyes to come in at this point.

[Horehound]

@whinge yeh I actually haven't listened to her speak in years only read stuff or seen photos/videos but usually in bed so sound on silent!

[mocktail]

Genuine question: is it common for women with mental health problems to have their fertility controlled?

[ComDummings]

exhale.breatheheavy.com/forums/topic/792873-britney-spears-june-23rd-court-hearing-updates-full-transcript/page/141/

The full transcript above ^^
I feel so sorry for her, she deserves more.

[ComDummings]

variety.com/2021/music/news/britney-spears-full-statement-conservatorship-1235003940/

Sorry this is the article of the transcript

[NiceGerbil]

She's not asking for the conservator thing to be removed. The financial side has been with a firm from when her dad was too ill to do it.

The personal side she is fine to have but wanted it switched from her dad to the HCP who did it for s while when her dad was ill.

That sounds totally and utterly fair to me.

I still think having all this control over her life for 13 years is wrong though. In all the reports it says she had MH issues it always mentions shaving her head. Why the fuck shouldn't she shave her head? That's misogyny. A good looking young woman in the public eye and who does sexy videos etc cutting all her hair off? Well she's obviously gone completely bonkers.

[NiceGerbil]

Her dad's statement saying he loves and misses her... So he doesn't see her? He runs her life in the finest detail remotely?

That doesn't sound good.

Oh and the conservator fees were over s million dollars last year. He is getting a good earner out of this.

[StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind]

I still think having all this control over her life for 13 years is wrong though.

I do too- I think it needs to be removed immediately and an entirely fresh assessment made with decent, competent individuals doing this, who have her best interests at heart and who aren't treating her as a cash cow. She deserves so much better.

[GNCQ]

The way I see it

Her parents send her to intensive theatrical school training at an extremely early age.

They get her onto Disney Club TV as a school girl where she is subject to intense scrutiny, criticism, and pressure alongside celebration and lots of clapping etc. Anyone would get at least slight mental health problems after that.

She's been treated at a possession by her parents since she was born. The USA law then basically agrees she should continue to be controlled and treated as a possession by the very same person who made her mentally unwell in the first place.

They should have separated Britney from her parents rather than force the dynamic to get worse.

[ComDummings]

@GNCQ

The way I see it

Her parents send her to intensive theatrical school training at an extremely early age.

They get her onto Disney Club TV as a school girl where she is subject to intense scrutiny, criticism, and pressure alongside celebration and lots of clapping etc. Anyone would get at least slight mental health problems after that.

She's been treated at a possession by her parents since she was born. The USA law then basically agrees she should continue to be controlled and treated as a possession by the very same person who made her mentally unwell in the first place.

They should have separated Britney from her parents rather than force the dynamic to get worse.

This is so true

[questionsaboutConsent]

I’ve found this all deeply upsetting and triggering to read.

She has in my opinion been abused and exploited and I hope she can rid herself of all this involvement. It’s awful

[HairyToity]

I just listened to her testimony. It is worse than I imagined. Utterly shocking. Only in America, where greed is king.

[questionsaboutConsent]

@mocktail

Genuine question: is it common for women with mental health problems to have their fertility controlled?

Sadly I think it is sometimes to horrific extent as well

[HavelockVetinari]

That poor woman. There's no doubt she has some mental health problems, but being forced to work against her will, abused by her therapists, threatened with access to her child being removed if she doesn't comply - and being forced to have an IUD in her uterus against her will? That is SO, SO wrong.

I hope her father burns in hell.

[TooBigForMyBoots]

Britney has endured a lifetime of control and exploitation and you are correct that this has not happened to men who suffer similar MH problems. Kanye West has had similar episodes, yet Kim K was vilified for trying to keep him safe and in treatment.