A 'body double' and secret messages: Why everyone is talking about Britney Spears.

Following the end of her conservatorship, Britney Spears has become a staple figure on Instagram, taking us behind the scenes of her life – showing footage of her dancing, snaps of her favourite outfits, and glimpses into her marriage with Sam Asghari.

She's spoken briefly on her wellbeing, saying she knows what it feels like to be "on defence" constantly. Just this week, she addressed the rumours, reports and conspiracy theories circulating about her online. And Spears has had enough. 

She was referencing a recent report from TMZ, which suggested Spears was having a "manic episode" at a restaurant in Los Angeles where she was dining alongside her husband.

Watch: A look back at the Britney Vs Spears official trailer. Post continues below.

Spears has criticised the outlet, calling for her fans to speak up about the reporting and take her words for face value instead. 

To get you up to speed on what's happening, here's everything we know.

The bizarre conspiracy theories.

Near the end of 2022, TikTok was abuzz with clips from some suggesting Spears was missing – arguing her recent Instagram posts looked staged. During this time there were also a lot of throwback photos posted, rather than current present-day content. 

Some claimed she had died, others said she was using body doubles, and there were many that even alleged she was using a green screen to make it look like she wasn't stuck at home. 

It was further fueled when Spears said she was on a private jet heading to New York – yet no fan photos or paparazzi shots surfaced of her heading to or from an airport, which was odd.

But as expected, the claims all proved to be unfounded.

A source close to Spears and her husband said she wasn't in fact New York City bound, but had said so to throw paparazzi off the track. She and Asghari were actually off to Mexico for a quiet holiday.

"Britney Spears isn't missing, in trouble or dead as growing fan theories might suggest –  in fact, it's quite the opposite," the source said.

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A post shared by Sam Asghari (@samasghari)

The Los Angeles restaurant 'altercation'.

Last week, TMZ ran an article that claimed Spears was experiencing a serious decline in her mental health.

They alleged that Spears had a "manic episode" over the weekend at the restaurant, eyewitnesses alleging that Spears was acting "erratically" and that Asghari soon left the food venue by "bolting in anger".

"The dinner was a bust for Britney. Patrons pulled out their cell phones and began shooting footage of her. Britney got pissed and things went south quickly. Eyewitnesses say Britney became 'manic,' yelling and talking gibberish – not another language, just unrecognisable speech. We're told Sam got visibly upset, abruptly stood up and stormed out the door," the tabloid said.

Someone in the restaurant evidently took video footage of the situation and sent it to TMZ, and there were also paparazzi outside the restaurant looking in. 

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari respond.

Asghari was the first to challenge the claims made by TMZ, denying his wife had experienced a "manic episode". He explained that when diners began taking photos of her, it left her "frustrated". He said it was an unfortunate situation, but said it comes with the territory of fame. 

He then confirmed he had not bolted from the table in anger as suggested, but instead briefly left to go get the car.

As for Spears, she elaborated on the whole situation via an Instagram post, expressing her disappointment at the suggestion she was not well.

"I'm sure I brought a billion smiles to me looking like Shrek at a restaurant. Even my best friend couldn't wait to send it to me, they don't think twice. I know the news is all hyped about me being a little drunk at a restaurant... it's like they'll be watching my every move!" she wrote.

"I'm so flattered they talk about me like a maniac THEN have the balls to talk about all the negative things that happened in my past!!! I know y'all are rooting for me and all and make sure you check out the shocking Shrek picture of me... I was like damn that's horrific yet there were two pics where I was normal... either way honestly I know nobody gives a flying f**k what I do!"

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A post shared by Channel 8 (@britneyspears)

TMZ has since received criticism in the wake of the #FreeBritney movement, with fans acknowledging that similar press coverage had played a major role in Spears' emotional breakdown in 2007 after being hounded by paparazzi incessantly. 

It's now being circulated that TMZ has been reported to the Federal Communications Commission for "distorting" the news about Spears. 

BREAKING: TMZ has been REPORTED to the Federal Communications Commission (@FCC) for distorting the news about Britney Spears. #JusticeForBritney pic.twitter.com/QXaGRAKEYS

— Britney Stan ✨ (@BritneyTheStan) January 18, 2023

Where we've seen this coverage before – and why it's important to remember.

For the past few years now, the conversation surrounding Spears has been focused on her conservatorship, the role the tabloid media played in her public struggles with mental health in 2007, and what we can learn from it all. 

We once saw a young Spears visibly upset due to the sheer amount of paparazzi harassment she faced, the negative tabloid headlines and constant criticism from the public. As many Spears fans are noting, the fear now is whether we truly learned anything from that moment in time, considering it appears to be playing out once again.

For example, the use of the phrase 'manic episode', despite there being no public confirmation of a diagnosis.

Or the fact Spears was simply frustrated at having dozens and dozens of cameras pointed at her while she was trying to have dinner.

Even the use of the word 'erratic'.

Not to mention, paparazzi were once again hiding with long lens cameras to capture out-of-context footage of a woman without her knowledge. Then for those pictures, an accompanying video, and unsubstantiated claims to be published online for the general public to comment on openly. 

How the world treats Britney Spears never ceases to appall me

— Simon Curtis (@simoncurtis) January 14, 2023

Britney goes out to a restaurant and everyone in the restaurant pulls out their phones and records her and Britney gets upset about this and somehow it becomes she is having a manic episode? Like come on now TMZ#BritneySpears #JusticeForBritney

— Stephen🌹🚀 (@luckySGM) January 14, 2023

Spears has said that her Instagram page is a space that she wants to keep "positive" and filtered. To try and keep the negative narrative often thrown at her at bay. 

Reflecting on her mental health, Spears said: "It's crazy, social media. Everybody's life seems so perfect and when I post things I think most of the time I've been utterly and completely embarrassed of my past... and who can forget those documentaries?

"So yes, I do try and post me looking my best or what it may seem to be 'the good life'. Well, the truth is, my spirits are better but I will forever be traumatised by my past experience for life. There is no way to fix me, my emotions and my sensitivity. My life is by no means picture-perfect. I'm insecure as hell. In real life, I have no clue and I'm working on that." 

To make sure the tabloids hear her this time, Spears' most recent video is a compilation dance routine of her putting her middle finger up to the camera. 

The message is loud and clear. 

Feature Image: Getty/Instagram @britneyspears.

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