Barrymore says Brit ‘deserves freedom’
Drew Barrymore has joined the conversation surrounding Britney Spears’ ongoing battle to end her 13-year conservatorship.
As can be expected, the Golden Globe Award winner is down with the #FreeBritney movement.
Barrymore — now 46 — rose to stardom as a child in 1982’s seminal blockbuster “E.T. the Extra Terrestrial.” The granddaughter of legendary theater actor John Barrymore became emancipated at age 14. The year before, the actress’ mother, Jaid Barrymore, had her admitted to a psychiatric hospital.
During a recent interview, the “Charlie’s Angels” star revealed she had been “silently” supporting Spears, until it became apparent the singer needed more people to publicly come to her defense.
“I think one of the things I thought that I could [do to] respect her the most is not Instagram about it, and not talk on social media. This is too big for that,” Barrymore told “Entertainment Tonight.”
“But I also think on the other side of the coin, the noise had to be made in order to start to have change here.”
“Social media is a very tricky animal. It can lead to great outcry and people listening, and it can also be a place that has a little bit of empty calories,” she continued, but also added, “I feel that there’s a human being at the core of this. But since she put herself out there more ... she’s the key to her freedom.”
Spears, who rose to fame in the late 1990s as mainstream America’s favorite pop music princess, has been at the center of headline-grabbing drama regarding her guardianship and her father’s control over her business and personal matters.
On June 23, the 39-year-old singer gave explosive statements that made it clear she wanted to sever her “abusive” and “demoralizing” conservatorship. “This conservatorship is literally allowing my dad to ruin my life,” she said of her former manager Jamie Spears.
The McComb, Miss., native has been under a court-ordered conservatorship since 2008 after she was involuntarily hospitalized for mental health concerns amid a child custody battle with ex-husband and former backup dancer Kevin Federline.
The more people have learned about the court-ordered arrangement between Spears and her dad, the more they support the hashtag movement dubbed Free Britney.
People from all walks of life, and a parade of stars — including Bette Midler, Cher, Andy Cohen, Sarah Jessica Parker and Miley Cyrus — have openly expressed support for the “Toxic” performer.
Amid mounting public pressure, Jamie Spears last week agreed to honor his daughter’s repeated requests and step down as conservator of her estate. His lawyer said Jamie would work toward “an orderly transition to a new conservator.”
“It is highly debatable whether a change in conservator at this time would be in Ms. Spears’ best interests,” attorney Mathew Rosengart, wrote. “Nevertheless, even as Mr. Spears is the unremitting target of unjustified attacks, he does not believe that a public battle with his daughter over his continuing service as her conservator would be in her best interests.”
In February, Barrymore revealed to Howard Stern she had “empathy” for Spears, as they both had similar childhoods and struggles with fame. “It’s hard to grow up in front of people. It’s just hard,” she said. “This is about her and her life and everybody deserves the freedom to make mistakes or a success of their life and everything in between. That is what a life is.”
The Emmy-nominated talk show host concluded, “So whether it’s about her or anyone else, I want people to have their civil liberties; to have the freedom to live their lives.”