Frequently Asked Questions
What is #FreeBritney?
The #FreeBritney movement seeks to end the conservatorship of Britney Spears, raise awareness about conservatorship abuse, and advocate reform of the probate court system.
For 13 years, Britney has been denied basic human rights under a conservatorship designed for incapacitated individuals that generates millions of dollars in revenue for her team. Conservatorship abuse affects thousands of families across the country.
What is a conservatorship?
Conservatorship — called guardianship in many states — is a legal process in which a court appoints an individual (conservator) to manage the personal and financial affairs of another individual (conservatee) who has been deemed incapable of providing food and shelter for herself. Conservatorship effectively takes away the conservatee’s civil liberties and assigns them to the conservator. Because it is such an extreme measure, conservatorship is typically reserved as a last resort to provide care for people with severe disabilities.
Why do advocates want to end Britney’s conservatorship?
We believe that members of Britney’s family and team exploited Britney’s public troubles in 2007 and the probate court system for financial gain. Since the beginning of the conservatorship that deemed her unfit to care for herself, Britney has recorded four studio albums, performed a four-year residency, and gone on four separate tours. Probate conservatorship is a protective measure for incapacitated individuals, and Britney’s achievements prove that conservatorship is inappropriate.
We advocate healthy support systems and alternatives to conservatorship if necessary.
When did the movement start?
In February 2008, the conservatorship was established, and critics have been calling to “free Britney” ever since. Most notably, owner of the fan site BreatheHeavy.com Jordan Miller led a campaign to end the conservatorship before Britney’s conservator dad James threatened legal action in early 2009.
In April 2019, comedians Tess Barker and Babs Gray of the podcast Britney’s Gram received a voicemail detailing a level of control beyond what many fans imagined. It galvanized fans the world over to raise awareness about Britney’s situation and popularized the hashtag #FreeBritney.
In July 2020, the movement received another wave of support after supporter Mars Monroe posted a TikTok explainer video that went viral.
See conservatorship timeline for more detail.
How large is the movement?
The movement consists of advocates from all over the world. While it is difficult to measure its size, a recent Change.org petition for Britney’s right to hire her own lawyer has amassed over 250,000 signatures.
How does Britney feel about the conservatorship and the movement?
Multiple clues over the years have indicated that Britney has always wanted the conservatorship to end. There have even been indications that Britney was blackmailed into accepting the conservatorship using custody of her children as bargaining chips.
Britney expressed via a recent court filing that she “welcomes and appreciates the informed support of her many fans.”
What about her Instagram?
Opinions about Britney’s social media accounts vary widely within the movement. Some fans believe that Britney is sending coded messages to the outside world via Instagram posts while others believe that her team is crafting posts to steer public perception in their favor. These theories do not affect the central argument that probate conservatorship is inappropriate for Britney Spears.
What do you want to happen after the conservatorship ends?
We hope Britney is free to live life on her own terms and that those in her life support Britney in achieving her goals, whether or not they include continuing to work in the music industry.
What if Britney needs conservatorship?
Based on her achievements, we already know that Britney does not require conservatorship.
We do not claim to know Britney’s medical history and believe it should remain private. Misleading the public about her mental state is a common tactic among those invested in keeping the conservatorship in place. Moreover, implying that mental illness justifies the removal of human rights is dangerously stigmatizing.
Still unconvinced? Read about Common Misconceptions.
How can I help?
Spreading awareness is the easiest and most effective way to help. Public awareness will add pressure on those involved in Britney’s case to do the right thing, help families avoid being exploited by the probate court system, and move the needle toward meaningful reform.
