
Britney Spears wants to be in control of her own life again.
"I just want my life back," the 39-year-old told a court on June 23.
For 13 years, the mother-of-two has been living under a conservatorship, unable to make personal and financial decisions. Her father holds the role, by law, of her conservator - essentially a legal guardian.
"It's been 13 years," she said. "And it's enough."
Watch: The trailer for Framing Britney Spears. Post continues below video.
As fans and media tuned in for Spears' near 30-minute statement - which she demanded to be broadcast publicly after years of closed-courts and sealed documents - so too did Britney's peers. The popstar spoke about alleged "abusive" practices, being forced to perform and being made to be on birth control against her will.
The #FreeBritney movement, mostly made up of fans who have long feared for Spears' safety, finally had concrete proof that Spears herself was unhappy with the conservatorship arrangement.
It was worse than anyone ever imagined, and #FreeBritney went mainstream.
Hollywood stars have rallied in response to her landmark speech, and Spears' family, with whom so many of her problems lie, have too responded.
Here are all the reactions.
Britney Spears has every right to be angry. How would you feel if your life was stolen, dissected, mocked? I pray she gets to live your life on her terms. STOP CONTROLLING WOMEN. #FreeBritney – The Hollywood Reporter https://t.co/qyV9oNnLQt
— Rose McGowan (@rosemcgowan)
We love you Britney!!! Stay strong ❤️❤️❤️
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey)
Britney. We grew up in front of cameras and my heart is with you. Thank you for your bravery and your insistence on being treated with dignity. We are with you. 💕 #FreeBritney
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim)
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)
— b r a n d y (@4everBrandy)
Anyone saying she ‘seems unbalanced,’ please show me The equivalent conservatorships for male entertainers/athletes exhibiting erratic behavior. Where are all the MOMS controlling their grown son’s millions for a decade
— Liz Phair (@PhizLair)
Backstreet Boys’ AJ McLean using his massive TikTok following to back Britney Spears: “This shit has gone on long enough! Let my girl live her life and be free to be who she is! Hearing this yesterday made me sick! #FreeBritney let’s go!” pic.twitter.com/arcV6i8ket
— Jenna Amatulli (@ohheyjenna)
FUCKING FREE BRITNEY! 🙏🏽 We are all here for you queen! @britneyspears https://t.co/ZpeTsndagV
— Nicole Polizzi (@snooki)
Got y’all asses!! ITS OVER #FreeBritney crazy mfs
— Keke Palmer (@KekePalmer)
My heart 💔 #FreeBritney
— Jonathan Van Ness (@jvn)
No one should be treated like this. Stay strong Queen!! You deserve better 💜🦄🌈✨💜 #FreeBritney
— Khloé (@khloekardashian)
Been saying it for years. FREE BRITNEY. I can’t believe this legal hostage situation. Poor kid was just talented. Two decades of punishment from tabloids and her own team, are not survivable. She’s so strong for withstanding this. We love you Britney! https://t.co/s2i9Q666kC
— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@jameelajamil)
Justin Timberlake.
Justin Timberlake, who Spears dated from 1998 until 2002, reacted on Twitter to her statement.
Timberlake, who launched a successful solo career in 2002 following their breakup, has faced heat all year for appearing to springboard off of Spears in order to make it.
Read more: The complicated rise and fall of Justin Timberlake.
After their breakup, he spoke publicly about their sex life and fueled speculation about their breakup by using a Spears look-a-like in a music video, which led the press and fans to believe Spears was the villain in their story without verification.
Following the release of the documentaryFraming Britney Spears, which in part explored this, Timberlake apologised publicly.
Timberlake once again inserted himself in the narrative this week, with a series of tweets about Spears, 'despite their past'.
After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time. 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.
— Justin Timberlake (@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)
"Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was... what's happening to her is just not right," Timberlake wrote, adding he and wife Jessica Biel sent their love and support to Spears.
Unsurprisingly, fans did not take too kindly to his statement, calling him hypocritical for speaking now when he played a role in shaping her negative public persona.
Perez Hilton.
Copping similar criticism is gossip blogger Perez Hilton, who has published negative headlines and images of Spears over the years.
Hilton covered Spears' court speech, and was blasted by fans who pointed out a key part of his success in the 2000s was by tearing down young, female celebrities, including her.
He agreed with them, and made a video addressing their concerns.
My Message To Britney Spears And The Free Britney Movement | Perez Hilton From the heart. Watch this video in full HERE: https://t.co/v0HYRFXQDU pic.twitter.com/zCIonottqB
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton)
He toldSky Newson Thursday that he takes "full accountability" for the awfulness of his older material: "I know I didn't express myself as well as I could have. I didn't lead with empathy and compassion," he said.
"I absolutely apologise and carry deep shame and regret."
Kevin Federline.
Kevin Federline, Spears' ex-husband and the father of her two sons, wants nothing more than for her to be "happy and healthy", according to his lawyer.
Federline's attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan told
Chelsea McLaughlin
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