News June 24, 2021
Celebs Stand with Britney Spears Amid Conservatorship Battle

An overwhelming number of celebrities — including ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake — are standing in solidarity with Britney Spears amid her tumultuous conservatorship battle.
In a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday afternoon, the pop star gave an emotional 23-minute speech by phone where she asked the judge to end her conservatorship — put in place in February 2008 amid concerns about her mental health and potential substance abuse.
Spears’ father, Jamie Spears, currently oversees her nearly $60 million fortune, alongside a professional wealth management firm she requested. In 2019, a licensed professional conservator took over Britney’s personal care on an ongoing temporary basis.
In her speech, Spears alleges she has been drugged, forced to work against her will, and prevented from removing her birth control device over the past 13 years.
“I would like to progressively move forward, and I want to have the real deal. I want to be able to get married and have a baby. I was told right now in the conservatorship, I’m not able to get married or have a baby. I have a [IUD] inside of myself right now so I don’t get pregnant,” the artist — who is currently dating trainer and fitness model Sam Asghari — said.
“I wanted to take the [IUD] out so I could start trying to have another baby. But this so-called team won’t let me go to the doctor to take it out because they don’t want me to have children, any more children. So basically, this conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good,” the musician — who shares sons Sean and Jayden with ex-husband Kevin Federline — continued.
Spears also declares she deserves “to have a life,” saying, “I’ve worked my whole life. I deserve to have a two- to three-year break and just, you know, do what I want to do,” adding, “I deserve to have the same rights as anybody does by having a child, a family, any of those things, and more so.
“And that’s all I wanted to say to you. And thank you so much for letting me speak to you today,” she concluded.
After a recess, Vivian Lee Thoreen, a lawyer for Jamie, read a brief statement from him that said, “He is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain. Mr. Spears loves his daughter, and he misses her very much.”
After Britney’s speech went viral, Timberlake — who dated Spears in early 1999 until their breakup in March 2002 — supported his ex-girlfriend with a number of messages on Twitter.
“Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was… what’s happening to her is just not right. No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body,” he wrote.
No one should EVER be held against their will… or ever have to ask permission to access everything they’ve worked so hard for.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 24, 2021 @jtimberlake
Jess and I send our love, and our absolute support to Britney during this time. We hope the courts, and her family make this right and let her live however she wants to live.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 24, 2021 @jtimberlake
In February, following the release of “Framing Britney Spears,” an FX on Hulu documentary that criticizes Spears’ treatment by the media, Timberlake apologized to Spears after he, in 2002, revealed details about their sex life and seemingly accused her of cheating by featuring a blonde actress who strongly resembles her in his “Cry Me a River” music video.
Additionally, other celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker and Mariah Carey, wrote Spears messages of support.
Bless Britney and I hope with my whole heart she is awarded freedom from this abusive system. She deserves it more than anything. I admire her courage speaking up for herself today.
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2021 @halsey
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) June 23, 2021 @Andy
— Sarah Jessica Parker (@SJP) February 7, 2021 @SJP
We love you Britney!!! Stay strong ❤️❤️❤️
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 23, 2021 @MariahCarey
No one should be treated like this. Stay strong Queen!! You deserve better 💜🦄🌈✨💜 #FreeBritney
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) June 24, 2021 @khloekardashian