Concern over Britney Spears’ conservatorship, which does not allow the 38-year-old mother of two to make decisions regarding her finances, estate, health or career, has grown over the past year.
Now, Spears’ former co-star, Taryn Manning, has taken to Instagram to share her thoughts and encourage fans to give the popstar “the dignity she deserves and earned.”
Before Netflix’s Orange Is The New Black took off in 2013, Manning, 41, appeared alongside Spears in the 2002 film, Crossroads. And though the two don’t appear to still be in touch, Manning posted her support for Spears on Instagram - kind of.
“Britney I know you’re strong af and have your own brain and thought process,” Manning captioned a photo with Spears from Crossroads.
“To me you look happy and like you’re having a blast! Keep up the happy posts and your faith in Jesus Christ,” she added on a more bizarre note before encouraging Spears’ fans to replace the #FreeBritney hashtag with #GodIsWatchingOverBritney.
“How about let’s give this wonderful woman the dignity she deserves and earned,” Manning continued. “Until you know the facts stop speculating and perpetuating the father of lies. We all know she’s under a type of control that’s unfair and things will be fixed,” she wrote, referring to Spears’ conservatorship, which was implemented after she suffered a public mental breakdown in 2008.
“Have faith. Wish her well! Send good vibes of no fear,” Manning concluded.
This isn’t the first time that Manning has posted about the concern surrounding Spears’ conservatorship, which is set to be reviewed in August 2020. In February, Manning shared (then seemingly-deleted) another post - eventually explaining her reason for speaking out with another photo on the set of Crossroads.
“The reason why I posted was because many fans of her contact me daily BEGGING me to do something,” Manning wrote of Spears’ fans, who have even started a Change.org petition for the singer to be allowed to hire her own lawyer (something she is currently unable to do without her conservator’s approval).
“I used to not respond. Then, I started to ask for proof of these allegations they presented. Finally, I posted because it was eating away at me for months. What if there is something wrong?” Manning asked, adding, “I like Britney, we had a blast at that time, and I want her happy like any decent human would want for another.”
And Manning isn’t the only celebrity who’s noticed #FreeBritney trending on social media. Spears’ former friend, Paris Hilton, also included the hashtag in her Instagram post over the weekend, which included a video clip of Spears’ 2003 VMA performance with Madonna and Christina Aguilera.
