Britney Spears’ dad hits back at fans over conservatorship: ‘People have it so wrong’
Jamie Spears, Britney’s dad, has reportedly had a leg amputated. (Chris Farina/Corbis via Getty Images)
Britney Spears’ dad Jamie Spears says the #FreeBritney movement has it “so wrong”, and that he is not the villain of her story.
Britney’s court-ordered conservatorship and her relationship with her father have come under the spotlight once again following the Framing Britney Spears documentary, which explored how Britney has petitioned to have her father removed from the arrangement that controls her finances and personal life.
Now a lawyer representing Jamie Spears has hit out at the “Free Britney” movement, during an appearance on Good Morning America on Thursday (25 February).
“I understand that every story needs a villain, but people have it so wrong here,” attorney Vivian Thoreen said.
Thoreen defended Jamie, claiming that he saved his daughter from financial ruin. She said Britney’s fortune had dwindled to just $2.8 million in 2008, with that figure rising to $60 million in 2019.
“This is a story about a fiercely loving, dedicated and loyal father who rescued his daughter from a life-threatening situation,” Thoreen said.
“People were harming her and they were exploiting her. Jamie saved Britney’s life.
“Britney’s assets were clearly being mismanaged and she was being taken advantage of financially by some of those around her.”
Thoreen also denied that Jamie has forced Britney to work while under the conservatorship.
“When she is up for performing, she has performed. When she wants to record an album, she can record an album, and when she wants to live her life the way she wants, like a normal person, he has collaborated with her to do that as well.”
Thoreen claimed Britney spent two weeks with Jamie and other family members in Louisiana during the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic last year.
During that time, they “went on long drives together, they played and worked in the family garden, and every night Jamie cooked southern comfort food that the family ate and enjoyed together”, Thoreen said.
She insisted that Britney never said she wanted her father to step down from his role in her conservatorship during that time.
“Jamie loves his daughter, and like any other family, issues come up from time to time. but this in no way takes away from the love and support that they have for each other. Britney knows that her daddy loves her, and she knows she can call on him anytime, conservatorship or not.”
Britney Spears was placed under a conservatorship because she ‘needed help’
When asked why Jamie Spears has refused to step down from his role, despite repeated pleas from Britney that he do so, Thoreen said: “Jamie serves as Britney’s conservator because he loves her, he wants the best for Britney.”
She added: “I think we have to remember how this conservatorship was started and that Britney needed help and that’s why the conservatorship was put in place and why Jamie was appointed.”
The interview comes just weeks after the New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears took the world by storm – and put a harsh and unwavering spotlight on the public treatment of the singer in the years leading up to her breakdown.
The documentary also examined Britney’s legal battle to have her father removed from her conservatorship. Britney has claimed in court documents that she is “afraid of her father” and will not perform as he remains in his position.
Britney appeared to address the documentary in an update on Instagram in the days after its release.
“Each person has their story and their take on other people’s stories,” she wrote.
“We all have so many different bright beautiful lives,” she added, alongside a string of flower emojis.
“Remember, no matter what we think we know about a person’s life it is nothing compared to the actual person living behind the lens.”
