Shame on Britney’s ‘control freak’ father

Imagine being 39 years old but not allowed to make decisions about your finances, who you want to marry or even who you can have children with.

That is how pop star Britney Spears has been living for the last 13 years – under a conservatorship, which appointed her father Jamie to oversee her $60m estate.

After fans started the #freeBritney Movement on social media, support grew for the singer.

Madonna wrote: “Give this woman her life back... Britney, we coming to get you out of jail.”

Justin Timberlake wrote: “No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body.”

And many more people said the way Britney’s control had been taken away amounted to mental and psychological abuse.

Britney’s troubles began in 2008. I remember her meltdown when she shaved her head and attacked the paparazzi with an umbrella.

She was put in a psychiatric hospital for mental health assessment and, during that time, her dad was given the legal right to make decisions about her finances, health, business deals and personal life.

In 2019 he stepped aside but remained conservator of her estate and finances. As a parent, I understand the original decision.

If my child was wealthy and in the public eye but mentally unfit to make rational life choices, I would want to be guardian of their affairs until they were well. Better a parent than managers, agents, producers, lawyers, publicists and hangers-on.

But what mum or dad would continue to control their child’s affairs beyond what was necessary?

Since her breakdown, Britney has released four albums, headlined a $131m global tour and starred for four years in a hit Las Vegas show.

Unfortunately, money and fame can destroy any family and I believe Britney’s father was not going to easily relinquish the lifestyle he enjoyed as her conservator.

Healthcare attorney Harry Nelson said Jamie received $16,000 a month, plus office costs and a percentage of the revenue from Britney’s performances. His legal bills, which “run into the millions”, were also paid by his daughter.

Shame on any parent who profits from their child in such a way that the child ends up saying: “I’m not happy. I can’t sleep. I’m so angry it’s insane. And I’m depressed.”

That’s what Britney said in court. She also said: “My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship… they should be in jail.”

I’m so glad Britney found the courage to fight back.

This week Jamie was suspended from the conservatorship after Los Angeles Superior Court ruled that the situation “is not tenable” and “reflects a toxic environment”.

Jamie’s lawyer insisted there was no justification for his removal and his record wasimpeccable.

It was a huge victory but Britney does not yet have full control of her life. So far all that has changed is the identity of her conservator.

I don’t want fame or fortune for my kids. I just wish them happiness, health and peace.

I’ve seen what money, greed and fame does. And I wouldn’t wish that toxicity on my worst enemy.

I don’t want fame or fortune for my children. It’s toxic

BRAVE Britney