Britney Spears is ‘afraid’ of father Jamie and will not perform again as long as he controls her career
Britney Spears. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Britney Spears is “afraid” of her father Jamie and she will not perform again as long as he’s in charge of her career, according to her attorney.
The singer has been embroiled within a 12-year long court ordered conservatorship, also known as a guardianship in some areas, since her public mental health crisis in 2007, with her father appointed to manage her career, finances and personal affairs.
But Spears has recently waged a battle for freedom, arguing in court that she should be freed from the arrangement, which was only ever intended to be temporary.
In a court appearance on Tuesday (10 November), Britney’s attorney Samuel D Ingham III told Los Angeles superior court judge Brenda Penny that the singer is “afraid” of her father.
“My client has informed me that she is afraid of her father,” Ingham said, according to Associated Press. “She will not perform again if her father is in charge of her career.”
Ingham also described the “Toxic” singer as a “high-functioning conservatee” and said she deserved to be notified in advance of actions her father was taking with her affairs. He said Jamie Spears had not provided notice in the past.
He also said that Britney has not spoken to her father in a very long time.
Meanwhile, Jamie Spears’ lawyer Vivian Thoreen claimed that he has not spoken with Britney on the advice of Ingham and claimed he had a perfect record as conservator.
Thoreen said Britney had gone to being in debt to wealth of more than $60 million while her father was acting as conservator, adding: “I don’t believe there is a shred of evidence to support my client’s suspension.”
Jamie Spears’ attorney also argued that Ingham’s claims about Britney’s relationship with her father was inadmissible hearsay.
Britney Spears’ fight for freedom is being supported by her mother Lynne Spears.
Judge Brenda Penny declined to suspend Jamie Spears from his role in the conservatorship, however, she said she would consider future requests for his suspension or removal.
She went on to appoint corporate fiduciary company, the Bessemer Trust, to the conservatorship at the request of Britney Spears and her legal team. The trust will serve as co-conservator alongside Jamie Spears.
Most of those who attended the court hearing did so by phone or video conference in line with coronavirus restrictions, while Britney did not attend in any capacity. Both of the pop star’s parents attended the court appearance remotely.
Fans protested outside the Los Angeles courthouse, while a small number sat inside wearing “Free Britney” face masks.
Britney is being supported in her request to be freed from the conservatorship by her mother Lynne Spears, who said through her attorney Gladstone N Jones that it was time for the singer to “start fresh”.
Lynne Spears’ attorney said Britney and Jamie’s relationship has become “toxic”, adding: “It has broken Lynne’s heart that things have come to this point.”
In court papers filed on November 3, Britney’s attorney Samuel Ingham argued that the singer would suffer “loss and injury” if Jamie Spears continues as conservator.
Britney’s fight for greater autonomy has coincided with global awareness of the “Free Britney” movement, a fan-led campaign to have the “Lucky” singer released from her conservatorship.
Spears gave fans a rare update on her life on November 2, revealing in an Instagram video: “I know there has been a lot of comments and a lot of people saying a lot of different things about me, but I just want to let you guys know that I am fine.
“I am the happiest I have ever been in my life. And I am sending you guys a lot of prayers and wishes and a lot of love.”
