The Chronology Of The #FreeBritney Campaign, Fans Efforts To Free Britney Spears

Britney Spears (Instagram @britneyspears)

JAKARTA - The hashtag #FreeBritney has been making a comeback on social media for the past few years. True to its name, this hashtag is an attempt by fans to free the idol, Britney Spears.

Pop singer Britney Spears has been under conservatorship since October 2008. Her father, James 'Jamie' Spears was legally appointed to manage Britney from privacy and financial perspective.

Knowing this, fans began to petition and voice their support. On June 23, Britney spoke about her conservatory for the first time.

"I lied and told the whole world I'm fine and I'm happy", said Britney Spears over the phone quoted from Cosmopolitan today, June 25.

The Conservatory

A conservatory is a condition where a person is appointed as a legal guardian because of the mental and physical condition experienced by a person. Therefore, Britney's father manages and determines the decisions that Britney makes.

Britney's conservatory process is valid until August 2020. At that time, Britney's lawyer, Samuel D. Ingham III stated that Britney did not want her father to become a conservator and appointed someone else.

In 2007, Britney Spears' condition began to decline. The following year she did the rehabilitation and therapy process in California. After the conservatory was announced in 2008. Britney's father has control over Britney's life and finances.

Jamie Spears took care of her health and business royalties while banning guests from seeing Britney while her attorney at the time, Andrew Wallet, managed her financial assets.

Samuel's request was rejected by the court and the conservatory is valid until February 2021. So far, the conservatory has been extended four times. Samuel has until September 2021 to petition for the conservatory to be terminated.

#FreeBritney

In 2009, fans started the hashtag #FreeBritney in response to the conservatory. They believe this condition can harm not benefit Britney.

From a career perspective, Britney's life looks normal. She regularly releases an album every two to three years. She also has her own stage in a Las Vegas residency which grossed USD 1.1 million.

In addition, Britney also launched a clothing and perfume business and was a judge in The X Factor competition.

But all of that came to a halt in 2019 which caused the hashtag #FreeBritney to be voiced again. Andrew Wallet opted out of the conservatory and explained this condition could be dangerous.

In July 2020, Britney Spears' fans gathered for a conservatory hearing held in Los Angeles, California. They also make trending topics so that Twitter users know the conditions experienced by the idol and need public support.

The peak was last February when the New York Times released a documentary entitled Framing Britney Spears. This film tells the conservatory process carried out by Jamie Spears.

Fans believe Britney's career and life have been exploited throughout these 13 years. Since the release of the documentary, various supports from netizens to public figures have started to emerge.

Britney's lover, Sam Asghari also voiced this case. "It's important for someone to understand that I have no respect for those who try to control our relationship and continue to create obstacles", he said on Instagram.

Likewise, at the trial held on June 23 yesterday, Britney's fans gathered again and spread #FreeBritney on social media and the real world.

Instagram

In 13 years, Britney Spears has never discussed her conservatory via social media. Through Instagram, she is seen sharing videos of dancing and posing as well as her activities.

Fans suspect her Instagram account is also being monitored by the conservator. Therefore, they tried to find the "message" behind Britney's post.

When the documentary Framing Britney Spears was released, Britney wrote on Instagram “I've always loved being on stage… but I took the time to study and be an ordinary person… I enjoy every day of life!!!!”

Britney also admitted that she had not watched the documentary. “I didn't watch the documentary but from what I saw I was embarrassed by the light they were shining on me. I cried for two weeks and yes… sometimes I still cry!!!!”.

Today, June 25, Britney shared her latest post on Instagram. She apologized for pretending to look better all these years.

"I did it out of pride and I'm embarrassed to tell you what happened to me... but honestly who doesn't want to shoot Instagram from the fun side!!! Believe it or not, pretending that I'm okay really helps...".