Pop Culture

Britney Spears Is Free

After 13 years under the conservatorship that controlled her personal finance and movement, the pop star has gained autonomy.

Britney Spears has been publicly done with her court-appointed conservatorship since this summer, when she read a letter to the court’s probate judge decrying the fact that her life was still under the control of her father after 13 years. On Friday, the judge, who was solely responsible for deciding whether or not the conservatorship continues, decided that it’s over.

“The conservatorship of the person and estate of Britney Jean Spears is no longer required,” judge Brenda Penny said.

Her father, Jamie Spears, agreed to step down in August after Britney’s impassioned plea to a judge. She complained of many things, including being medicated against her wishes and also alleged she was forced to get an IUD despite wanting more children, a claim that Jamie’s attorney has denied

Still, even with Jamie Spears gone from the position, the fate of the conservatorship has hung in the balance. Jodi Montgomery has been her co-conservator since 2019, and the court replaced the elder Spears with Jason Rubin, a certified public accountant. They will work together to settle up “ongoing financial concerns,” per The New York Times.

This day what the #FreeBritney movement, which emerged in the last several years as Spears stopped working reportedly in protest of the conservatorship, has been fighting for. The collection of fans who obsessively track the performer’s fight against her legal situation is certainly celebrating tonight. Here, a confetti cannon outside the courthouse:

And Britney has acknowledged their efforts, writing recently on Instagram, “#FreeBritney movement … I have no words … because of you guys and your constant resilience in freeing me from my conservatorship … my life is now in that direction !!!!! I cried last night for two hours cause my fans are the best and I know it. I feel your hearts and you feel mine … that much I know is true !!!!!”

Ahead of the court date her fiancé, Sam Asghari, posted a video of them both wearing #FreeBritney shirts on Instagram. “It’s a human rights movement,” the shirt read.  

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