Britney Spears appeared in court for the first time regarding her conservatorship and delivered shocking testimony, comparing the order to ‘abuse’ and slamming her father Jamie Spears.
The 39-year-old singer, who attended the hearing remotely on Wednesday, has been fighting to be freed from the conservatorship in order to finally take care of her own wellbeing.
She was placed under the order in 2008 at the height of her mental health struggles, with a court putting her father, Jamie, in control of her personal affairs and finances indefinitely.
It has emerged that Britney wanted to have her father removed as a conservator as far back as 2016.
During the hearing on Wednesday, Britney said: ‘They’ve done a good job at exploiting my life. So I feel like it should be an open court hearing and they should listen to what I have to say.
‘A lot has happened since two years ago, the last time I was in court. I don’t think I was heard on any level when I came to court last time.
‘After I’ve told the whole world I’m okay, it’s a lie. I’m not happy and I can’t sleep. I’m depressed. I cry everyday … It’s my wish and dream for all of this to end. I want my life back.
‘I’ve been in denial. I’ve been in shock. I am traumatised. I want to end the conservatorship without having to be evaluated. I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive.’
A lawyer for Britney’s father Jamie later said on his behalf: ‘He is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain.
‘Mr Spears loves his daughter and misses her very much.’
Elsewhere in her testimony, the singer revealed how she wants to remove her IUD to have a baby with her boyfriend, Sam Asghari, but said the conversatorship has blocked her from doing so.
Britney had requested to address the court directly in April, with her lawyer Samuel D Ingham III filing a request with Judge Brenda Penny.
A conservatorship is a legal concept of guardianship in America where representatives are appointed following a court ruling that an individual is not capable of making their own decisions.
Usually, it is a course of action reserved for people who are older, vulnerable or suffering from serious mental health issues such as schizophrenia or dementia.
With regards to Britney, her financial and medical affairs are handled by her father and a legal representative.
The New York Times shared details from ‘confidential court records’ which state that Britney expressed ‘serious opposition’ to the conservatorship, and that it restricted everything from ‘whom she dated to the colour of her kitchen cabinets’.
The publication also reported that the records stated Britney could not make friends without Jamie’s approval.
A court investigator reportedly wrote in a 2016 report: ‘She articulated she feels the conservatorship has become an oppressive and controlling tool against her’, and quoted Britney as saying the system had ‘too much control’.
The investigator also claimed that Britney was ‘sick of being taken advantage of’.
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