Britney Spears could be living under strict legal constraints because she suffers from dementia, a documentary claims.
Journalist Mobeen Azhar has obtained documents that appear to reveal the condition is why the singer has had her life and finances managed for the past 12 years by her dad Jamie.
Britney, 39, is set to speak about her “conservatorship” for the first time in court in June.
It is thought the pop star wants to stop her father having control over her personal affairs.
In The Battle for Britney: Fans, Cash and a Conservatorship, Azhar says he initially thought the dementia claims were a “conspiracy theory”.
“It sounded a bit out there,” he says. “There are a couple of fan sites who said they have got hold of paperwork surrounding the conservatorship.
“I’ve got no way of knowing if these are legit but this looks like it’s linked to the conservatorship."
“You have to tick a box justifying the reason and the box that is ticked, it says: ‘The order is related to dementia placement or treatment as specified’.”
Under-65s account for less than 5% of dementia cases in the US, so Azhar thinks it is “unlikely” Britney is suffering from the condition unless she is a “medical anomaly”.
He says: “Britney might have dementia. I’m not a doctor but if that’s the case, the world isn’t aware of that.
“The other option is more sinister. That’s the idea that she doesn’t have dementia but the conservatorship team wanted to push [it] through. If that’s the case, then that’s terrifying.”
In 2007, Britney had a breakdown after splitting from her dancer husband, Kevin Federline.
After several stints in rehab, she lost custody of sons Jayden, 14, and Sean, 15, and was detained for 14 days for her own safety.
Britney, who is now dating personal trainer Sam Asghari, was then placed under the conservatorship, which means she cannot drive, go out alone or make her own financial decisions.
Fans have formed a movement known as #FreeBritney, backing her legal fight to regain her autonomy.
But blogger Perez Hilton believes the conservatorship is necessary.
He says: “If she didn’t have [it], I’d be concerned she would be dead.”
*The documentary is on BBC iPlayer now and will be on BBC Two on Wednesday at 9pm.
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