Britney Spears’ father Jamie will retain control of her personal life, career and estate, despite the singer having requested that he be removed as her conservator.
Spears’ conservatorship has been extended until at least February 2021, a judge determined in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday (19 August).
Spears’ father has been her conservator for 12 years. Conservatorship is when a guardian or protector is appointed by a court to manage the life of someone due to physical or mental limitations. Spears’ conservatorship was put in place in 2008 after she suffered a public breakdown in 2007.
On Monday (17 August), Spears’ lawyers had stated that the singer is “strongly opposed” to having her father as her conservator.
The conservatorship has been the subject of widespread online protests this year.
The #FreeBritney movement was launched by fans who believe Spears is “trapped”, and one petition, with more than 100,000 signatures lobbying for Spears’ freedom, claims: “Her father doesn’t allow her to drive, all of her calls & messages are monitored, she’s not allowed to vote, hang with anyone or spend her money without permission. And if she breaks a ‘rule’ he threatens to have her kids taken away.”
Earlier this month, Jamie called the #FreeBritney campaign “a joke” and said he is tired of rumours that she is being exploited.
