Celeb blogger Perez: “I really hope Britney finds peace”
As a new documentary delves into pop star Britney Spears’ controversial conservatorship amid her battle for more independence, Perez Hilton tells Closer why the truth could be worse than fans imagine
It’s been fourteen years since her infamous breakdown in 2007, but despite seemingly getting back on her feet, Britney Spears still has no legal right to make her own life decisions. Her father Jamie Spears’ controversial conservatorship – granted by a judge in 2008 to give him control over her personal, financial and professional decisions – remains in place and is the subject of a new documentary set for release this week.
Framing Britney features interviews with people close to the star, now 39, including a long-time family friend and a lawyer working on her current civil case to contest her father’s guardianship over her.
The documentary, on streaming service Hulu, will provide a rare glimpse of the story behind what a family friend describes as Britney’s “appalling” treatment in the aftermath of her meltdown – when the then 25-year-old infamously shaved her head, attacked a photographer with an umbrella and was later sectioned in a mental health clinic.
Britney’s legal case began last August, when the pop star requested to choose a replacement, Jodi Montgomery, to oversee her life and money, citing that she’s “scared” of her father and refusing to perform again while still under his guidance.
A conservatorship is usually granted in cases where people have no control over their actions due to mental ill health or a disability.
VULNERABLE
It’s been deemed so extreme that Jamie has reportedly banned Britney – who has 30 per cent custodial rights over her sons Sean Preston, 14, and Jayden James, 13, from her marriage to ex Kevin Federline – from having another muchwanted baby with her boyfriend of three years, Sam Asghari, 26.
Fans spearheading the #FreeBritney movement have insisted she should have full independence. But Jamie – who is entitled to £100,000
a year of Britney’s money for his role – insists that he’s done a good job, taking the star’s estate from being in debt and facing tens of millions in lawsuits to its current value of more than £45m. He argues that he took control in a bid to restore his daughter “to good health, reunite her with her children, and revive her career.”
And celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton – who has met Britney on a number of occasions and was part of her Circus tour in 2009 – tells Closer that, while he believes she should be allowed to choose who controls her finances and career decisions, it’s likely the conservatorship will stay in place for her own good.
He explains, “The conservatorship doesn’t mean she’s imprisoned in her LA mansion, like many of her fans believe. It’s there to protect her and her assets from people if she is vulnerable. But equally, there’s an argument about free will – should she be able to live as she likes?
“I think we only know a fraction of what’s gone on – clearly she wouldn’t have a conservatorship if there wasn’t still something wrong. What happened is probably much worse than we know.
“I know Britney isn’t specifically opposed to having a guardian, but she wants changes. She should definitely be able to choose her conservator – it doesn’t have to be her dad, as it’s clear their relationship has deteriorated greatly.
“Sadly, she has been manipulated in the past by some of those close to her. She’s had enablers and leeches take advantage throughout her life. In a way, this conservatorship stops that from happening, so it’s a positive thing.”
LOOKING AHEAD
Britney’s mum, Lynne
– who is divorced from
Jamie – has openly supported the #FreeBritney movement, while in September, Britney’s close friend Paris Hilton argued it “is not fair” that she has “no control over her life”.
Meanwhile, fans were thrilled last week when Britney tagged former boyfriend Justin Timberlake in a video, as she danced to his new song, hinting that they have put any bad blood from their 2002 split behind them. Last year she called him a “genius” in another Instagram post, with him responding with laughing and “high five” emojis.
Despite meeting Britney on a number of occasions and calling her “a really lovely person”, Perez was also accused of not treating Britney fairly in light of her 2007 meltdown.
He has since apologised and tells Closer he has more of an understanding of mental health issues now.
“I do have regrets,” he says. “I’ve learnt and become more empathetic. I think I, and many others, thought her erratic behaviour was a result of her hard partying. But it became clear after time that she had mental health issues. Looking back, I should have been more compassionate. I think society has come far in recent years in recognising this, but we still have a way to go.
“Ultimately, I really hope Britney finds peace. I hope she gets as much access to her children as she wants. It would be great for her to go back to doing a little bit of work – not too much so it’s overwhelming, but I really believe she gets so much joy out of performing. I know she wants more kids too, so maybe that would be a good thing for her. I just want her to be happy.”
❛ SHE’S HAD ENABLERS AND LEECHES TAKE ADVANTAGE THROUGHOUT HER LIFE ❜