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.
Jamie Spears
outside court
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’.
