The feud between Britney Spears and father James “Jamie” Spears is about to hit the screen. From February 5 on FX and Hulu we could see Framing Britney Spears, the documentary made by New York Times that traces the pop star’s career. We will talk about its rise, at the mental breakdown of the mid-2000s, focusing mainly on the judicial battle that still holds it today under the parent’s legal protection.
Let’s go back to 2007 when the paparazzi’s photos portrayed the singer beside herself, with her hair shaved. Those shots were the culmination of a profound personal crisis that led Britney to hospitalization and the TSO, and the loss of her independence. Since 2008, James has become both her guardian and the administrator of all her daughter’s assets. According to a Diet Prada post, Britney is considered unfit to make decisions on her own. He can’t spend his money; he cannot see his children; give interviews; to get married; vote. He does not even do trivial things like driving, using your cell phone or social media on your own. The father is in full control of his life.
The conservatorship was born to prevent the artist from making the wrong financial and commercial decisions. But also to protect her from people who “with selfish interests try to harm her“. Too bad that many believe that the most harmful presence for her is James, more interested in the economic heritage than in his daughter’s welfare. It also seems strange that, despite the star being deemed incapable of taking care of herself, she has been able to carry on her career in recent years. He has done several world tours, produced records, and took part as a judge at X Factor USA.
Some have interpreted the videos posted by Britney on Instagram in which she dances with a glassy gaze, locked up in her house, like real requests for help. To be released. A signal welcomed by the singer’s many fans and led to the #FreeBritney movement. However, Larry Rudolph, Spears ‘current manager, continues to downplay James’ protection. He calls it “a way to help Britney make the right business decisions, but also to manage her life better“. Fans and many celebrities like Miley Cyrus and Chiara Ferragni last summer protested and launched social appeals against conservatorship.
In November 2020, Britney asked the court to remove her father’s guardianship, announcing that she would no longer perform as long as he is in control of her career. Unfortunately for the pop icon, her requests were turned down. A Los Angeles judge has extended Britney’s guardianship, and the singer’s claims won’t be approved or changed until February 2021.
