Britney Spears made her first appearance in court on Wednesday where she pleaded for the judge to end her 13-year conservatorship.
“I’ve been in denial. I’ve been in shock. I am traumatized. I just want my life back,” Spears said over the phone at the remote hearing.
The conservatorship — a procedure typically put in place for people with a severe disability or dementia — has put someone else in charge of Spear’s life and affairs since she was hospitalized in 2008. Currently, Spears’ father Jamie Spears oversees his daughter’s $60 million estates while a licensed professional conservator has been overseeing Britney’s personal care since 2019.
Fans have speculated that the pop icon wasn’t happy with the arrangement and began protesting in honor of Spears in what is known as the “Free Britney” movement.
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Now, the 39-year-old singer is pleading her case and asking the court to hear her.
“The last time I spoke to you, it made me feel like I was dead like I didn’t matter like you thought I was lying. I’m not lying so that maybe you understand the depth and degree, I deserve changes.”
Spears told the court she did not know she could petition to end the conservation and apologized for her ignorance. The singer then asked for the conservatorship to end not just for her but also for others.
“I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive, but ma’am there are a thousand conservatorships that are abusive as well. I want to end the conservatorship.”
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Spears addressed the court for over 20 minutes and did not hold back. She opened up about her mental health and told the court and the public she’s not okay.
“After I’ve lied and told the whole world ‘I’m OK. And I’m happy.’ It’s a lie,” she said. “I thought just maybe I said that enough. Because I’ve been in denial. I’ve been in shock. I am traumatized. You know, fake it till you make it. But now I’m telling you the truth, OK? I’m not happy. I can’t sleep. I’m so angry. It’s insane. And I’m depressed. I cry every day.”
The singer said under the conservatorship, she has been forced to take Lithium, a drug used to treat certain mental conditions like bipolar disorder or depression. She did not mention having a medical condition in court on Wednesday.
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Spears added that the current system is preventing her from living a full life and from expanding her family. Though she hopes to marry her boyfriend Sam Asghari and expand her family, Spears said she has been denied the right to remove her IUD, a device inserted into the body to prevent pregnancies.
According to CNN, fans of Spears gathered in Grand Park Los Angeles on Wednesday for a #FreeBritney rally.
The next court date for the case is scheduled for July 14.
