Britney Spears, 39, did not hold back during her long-awaited court appearance. The “Slave 4 U” singer, who has been under a court-appointed conservatorship for the past 13 years, is seeking to remove her father Jamies Spears, 68, from the legal arrangement. For the first time, Britney addressed a Los Angeles Superior Court Jude via virtual conference on Wednesday, June 23 where she made a number of bombshell allegations.
She compared her father Jamie to a “sex trafficker” who “loved” having control over her, adding she wished to “sue” her family. “They should go to jail,” Britney said during the 30 minute appearance, where she also claimed that she was unable to “get married and have a baby” due to the conservatorship. “I have an IUD in my body right now that won’t let me have a baby and my conservators won’t let me go to the doctor to take it out…they don’t want me to have another baby,” she reportedly said. Of note, Britney is mom to sons Jayden James, 14, and Sean Preston, 15, with ex-husband Kevin Federline, 43.
The conservatorship was the focus of FX’s 2021 documentary Framing Britney Spears, which inspired a number of A-Listers — like Miley Cyrus and Sarah Jessica Parker — to express their public support for the Louisiana native and the Free Britney movement. More stars, like Mariah Carey and Halsey, spoke out in support of the pop star following her shocking court appearance on June 23. See the messages below.
Rose McGowan
Rose McGowan, 47, discussed Britney’s situation during an appearance on Fox News’ Tucker Carlson Tonight on the same day of the hearing. “In my opinion, it’s bad,” she told Tucker. “Imagine you’re a 25-year-old young woman or young human, who has been forced to perform since as long as she could walk to support her family. Her father put her under conservatorship at 25. Many in the media, laughed and scorned her when she shaved her head. I lived in Hollywood during that time and I’ve made it my life’s mission to tell all of you out there, what so many of you really know deep down, that fame and Hollywood and the media machine are rotten to the core, and they do hurt, and they do damage.”
“At age 25, her father, and a judge ruled, with many paid off doctors’ help, that Britney Spears had dementia. Since then she’s gone on to do a five year residency in Vegas, two shows a day,” she continued. “She’s gone on a tour in 2018. And what happened today, is literally a cultural landmark moment, it is a cultural reset. She got to speak for the first time, I believe in her life, honestly, and openly. And what has been done to her, it’s horrific. And I know it seems like why should we care about a rich pop princess right, but I think it’s deeper than that. And I think it goes to what you talk a lot about, which is the rot in the machine, and how society also plays a part in a weird form of oppression.”
Rose went on to talk about what a conservatorship means and how she thinks it affects Britney. “She can make no decisions. When she sees her kids, what medicine she takes,” she explained to Tucker. “She said today, Britney Spears said, they put her on lithium. That is an incredibly helpful drug for some, but a hardcore drug. She said she was doped out, I’m summarizing, and she, I think is ready to blow the lid. She said today she’s so angry, it’s insane. And I understand that kind of rage.”
Rose then brought up her own experience with the negativity of Hollywood and mentioned how she was the first actress to “go on record” about former producer Harvey Weinstein, who is now a convicted sex offender. “The thing is, I was the first one to go on the record about Harvey Weinstein and that kind of sickness, the people that are truly putting your entertainment in your head,” she said. “And while we’ve all been entertained by Britney Spears, she’s been being tortured, and I know it seems like one person, but they’ve done this to women and humans and whistleblowers and people they don’t like and and really, the people, the monsters in power that control the puppet. Not just her. But like the message it sends to every girl or every boy out there that you are disposable and the elite can own you.”
In addition to her interview with Tucker, Rose took to social media to speak out about Britney with a video and caption, which can be seen below. “A win for one woman is a win for all. A win for one human is a win for all. Let Freedom Ring! #FreeBritney,” her caption read.
https://twitter.com/rosemcgowan/status/1407837634286784518?s=20
Justin Timberlake
Britney’s ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake, 40, who dated her from 1999-2002, took to Twitter shortly after the court hearing to share messages of support. “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,” one of his tweets read.
“No one should EVER be held against their will… or ever have to ask permission to access everything they’ve worked so hard for,” he continued before mentioning his wife Jessica Biel‘s support as well. “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.”
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) June 24, 2021
Mariah Carey
Legend Mariah Carey, 42, made her support for Britney known via Twitter. Shortly after Britney’s 30 minute statement, the Emancipation of Mimi singer shared a positive message for the Glory songstress. “We love you Britney!!! Stay strong,” Mariah tweeted, including three red hearts.
We love you Britney!!! Stay strong ❤️❤️❤️
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) June 23, 2021
Halsey
Halsey, 26, is never one to shy away from speaking her mind on controversial topics — and Britney’s court hearing was no different. “Bless Britney and I hope with my whole heart she is awarded freedom from this abusive system,” the Manic singer — née Ashley Nicolette Frangipane — penned via Twitter on June 23, 2021. “She deserves it more than anything. I admire her courage speaking up for herself today,” she added.
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) June 23, 2021
Brandy
Brandy, 42, shared her support for fellow ’90s icon Britney on Twitter, as well. The pair have met several times over the years, including during a joint interview on a German talk show in 1999 and at red carpet events. “Sending all my love and support to Britney Spears and her fans,” the Full Moon singer posted.
Sending all my love and support to Britney Spears and her fans ♥️
— b r a n d y (@4everBrandy) June 23, 2021
Dan Levy
Like many millennials, Schitt’s Creek star Dan Levy, 37, is a die hard Britney fan. The Toronto native showed his support by re-tweeting Mariah’s message for Britney, and sweetly adding a red heart emoji.
— dan levy (@danjlevy) June 23, 2021
Miley Cyrus
During her February 7 Super Bowl performance, singer Miley Cyrus had a message for the princess of pop. As she sang “Party In The U.S.A.,” Miley worked in the message “we love Britney” and even paid homage to the songstress in the lyrics of her song. “That’s when the DJ dropped my favorite tune / And a Britney song was on,” she sang for audiences.
Kacey Musgraves
Y’all..it’s plaguing me that nobody knows if @britneyspears is truly okay. Really hoping that if she isn’t she can formally vocalize it in some way and that she knows all of us on the outside really give a shit about her well-being. 😢
— K A C E Y (@KaceyMusgraves) February 8, 2021
After checking out Framing Britney Spears, country crooner Kacey Musgraves also took to Twitter to share her thoughts. “Y’all..it’s plaguing me that nobody knows if [Britney Spears] is truly okay,” she tweeted on February 8. “Really hoping that if she isn’t she can formally vocalize it in some way and that she knows all of us on the outside really give a sh*t about her well-being.”
Tamron Hall
Finally watched the “Framing of Britney Spears” on Hulu. It’s an understatement to call it heartbreaking. #FreeBritney
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) February 8, 2021
Talk show host Tamron Hall also voiced her support for Britney and the “Free Britney” movement. “Finally watched the ‘Framing of Britney Spears’ on Hulu. It’s an understatement to call it heartbreaking,” she tweeted. Tamron also added the hashtag “Free Britney” to her February 8 tweet.
Hayley Williams
https://twitter.com/yelyahwilliams/status/1358093963467620360?s=20
Hayley Williams of the band Paramore shared a truly emotional statement on Twitter after she watched the documentary, as well. “The Framing Britney Spears doc holy f**k,” Hayley began her February 6 tweet. “No artist today would have to endure the literal torture that media/society/utter misogynists inflicted upon her. the mental health awareness conversation, culturally, could never be where it is without the awful price she has paid.”
Sarah Jessica Parker
— Sarah Jessica Parker (@SJP) February 7, 2021
It became very clear that Sex & The City star Sarah Jessica Parker saw Framing Britney Spears when she took to Twitter on February 7. The Emmy winner shared a simple, clear statement with her legions of followers, supporting the “Free Britney” movement. She wrote the hashtag “Free Britney,” and that was all.
Valerie Bertinelli
https://twitter.com/Wolfiesmom/status/1358477840421851136?s=20
Actress Valerie Bertinelli wrote an impassioned tweet after watching Framing Britney Spears on February 7. Valerie wrote a list of people and institutions she referred to as “leeches” in Britney’s life, and added how lucky she was that her experience growing up as a teen star was nothing like Britney’s. “Makes me crazy grateful for my parents and how they protected me as a young girl in this insane business,” she wrote, adding the hashtag “Free Britney.”
Bette Midler
https://twitter.com/BetteMidler/status/1358257012023455746?s=20
Bette Midler followed the same route as SJP when it came to showing her support for the “Free Britney” movement. The beloved star of stage and screen took to Twitter on February 6, one day after the documentary debuted. She wrote the hashtag “Free Britney” in all capital letters.
Christian Siriano
Ughg I just want to help @britneyspears so much! Just have to figure out how I wonder?? 🌹 🤔🤔🤔 #Britney
— Christian Siriano (@CSiriano) February 8, 2021
Designer Christian Siriano also tweeted about Framing Britney Spears. “Ughg I just want to help [Britney Spears] so much,” he began his tweet. “Just have to figure out how I wonder??” Christian added, including the hashtag “Britney” and adding a rose emoji and two thinking emojis.
Mayra Veronica
Singer Mayra Veronica shared with us, “The Universe never fails in causing a transition that will lead your soul to growth and exactly where it needs to be. She will be so relieved once it’s over and she can finally be herself, maybe at that time she can create again, from a new space, from a place of freedom.”