It's been almost a year since Britney Spears's disputed conservatorship ended. More pieces of information emerge from time to time, detailing what the popular singer had to endure during the period her father, Jamie Spears, was in charge of her estate. In a recently released 22-minute audio recording posted by the princess of pop herself, more allegations about her mistreatment during those 13 long years came to light. Here are the claims and accusations she made compared to what the public witnessed without full knowledge of her conditions in that time.
There Are Two Sides to Every Story
Incomprehensibly, until not that long ago, Britney Spears had no control over medical decisions relating to her, her estate, or finances. Since 2008, she has been under the conservatorship of her father Jamie and it wasn't until 2021 and a long behind-the-scenes fight that she was able to break free.
Now, Britney has decided to shed some more light in a lengthy 22-minute recording. In that voice note on YouTube, which has now gone private, she finally shared everything that's happened in depth. We've gathered up the moments that we saw publicly vs. the allegations she made.
What We Saw - Mental Health Taking Its Toll
Back in 2008, Britney's reputation in front of the entire world changed drastically. After her 2007 'meltdown', concerns for her were raised and that's when her father got conservatory rights over her. It was temporary at first, but then it became permanent - with him having control over everything in her life.
These disturbing images and title stem from an incident in which Britney was seen carried out on a gurney from her house in L.A., reportedly after a custody battle with her ex-husband Kevin Federline and right after a psychiatric evaluation, known as a 5150 hold.
Britney's Claim - It Was All Premeditated
According to Britney, the entire thing was planned. She claims that after she spoke to a doctor (who was prescribing medication to her) in a British accent, for her own amusement reasons, things escalated quickly. Her mom told her people were coming over and that they have to go to a hotel, much to Britney's confusion.
Next, she says, a SWAT team, helicopters, and about 200 paparazzi arrived her the house and she was taken away on a gurney. She maintains that there was no substance abuse on her part, and that she now knows the entire thing was deliberate.
What We Saw - a Loving Father
After the 2008 hospitalization and the 5150 hold, Jamie Spears was granted temporary conservatorship, which basically means he got control over her home and any other assets. The conservatorship was shared with an attorney - Andrew Wallet.
Jamie and his ex-wife, Britney's mom Lynne, released a joint statement after Britney was released from the hospital, saying they are "deeply concerned" for their daughter, and that they believe "her life is presently at risk". At the time, the public's perception of Britney's condition was that she indeed needed help.
Britney's Claim - a Control Freak
In spite of the 'concerned father' image he has put on, Britney claimed Jamie was far less concerned with her well-being and more concerned with being in control. According to her, he "loved" to oversee everything she did from a young age, and also mentioned that he was extremely abusive towards her older brother Bryan when they were younger.
The kind of control a conservatorship granted Jamie only gave way for him to be in charge of practically everything. She claims that on the very first day he said "I'm Britney Spears", and that he's the one "calling the shots".
What We Saw - a Dedicated Pop Icon
After those turbulent years, Britney started working on her Circus tour. It was considered a comeback, and a special one at that, since everyone (thought they) knew her mental state at the time.
The princess of pop was suddenly seen all over L.A. going in and out of the gym, grinding in rehearsals, and doing everything in her power to get back to that top spot in the charts. Under guidance from her parents and the rules of the conservatorship, she seemed to be getting back on track - and some much needed rest was not an option.
Britney's Claim - None of It Was Out of Her Own Free Will
Although the public saw her keep up with rehearsals and get back in shape in preparation for the tour, Britney says she did not want any of it. Feeling the most demoralized she has ever felt in her entire life, she was forced to workout while she truly wanted, we can only assume, to slowly and peacefully get back to herself.
Being told she was fat every day and having to exercise when she didn't want to only made her feel more unnerved than ever before. Circus tour reviews pointed out that despite the extravagant show, Britney's presence was lacking.
What We Saw - Supportive Family Members and Inner Circle
Right before the Circus tour kicked off in New Orleans, the public got glimpses of how supportive her family members and inner circle were. In this People magazine piece, her aunt Linda expressed how they are all so excited (and "anxious") to see Brit get back on stage after taking time to heal.
When it comes to living under the conservatorship, it was reported that the rules were explained to Britney who was then in her late '20s. The reports said that she basically "agreed not to oppose it".
Britney's Claim - No One to Reach Out To
In the MTV documentary Britney: For the Record (2008), Britney shared very raw comments on her situation at the time. Chronicling her return to the stage two days after the release of her album Circus, the star shed some light on things that not everyone fully figured out back then.
While we thought she was surrounded with supportive friends and family members, Britney claims that under her father's control, she wasn't able to see anyone, and that she couldn't understand what she did to deserve that "punishment". She claimed "none of it made sense to [her]".
What We Saw - HIMYM Appearance
As part of her return to the entertainment industry, Britney had a two-episode guest star appearance in the popular sitcom How I Met Your Mother. At the time, the show wasn't as successful as it came to be, and ratings proved Brit's cameo was the best thing for the show and attracted many more viewers.
Britney took on the role of Abby, receptionist to Stella, a doctor who later becomes one of Ted's (the main character of show) love interests.
Britney's Claim - PTSD-Induced Compulsory Stints
While it was a pleasure seeing Britney on the small screen in an adorable comedy role, her reality was different. The funny cameo was something that she was forced to do, and even though it ended up being such a memorable part, she remembers it as a very dark period in her life.
Filmed only two weeks after she was hospitalized, Britney recalls being "completely traumatized out of [her] mind". She also started working on Circus, and says that she "had to do what [she] was told".
What We Saw - If She Doesn't Resist, She Must Be Okay with It
During the beginning stages of her conservatorship, it was clear that Britney was put under its rules involuntarily, but that she also didn't oppose it. Many people shared their comments, saying that if she doesn't fight back and try to get a lawyer, then it must mean she's in agreement with the whole thing.
In addition, her father and others who were involved maintained that everything was running smoothly and that the conservatorship rescued Britney from hitting a low point, and even benefited her. They also claimed she could end it whenever she pleases.
Britney's Claim - Secretly Fought to Have a Lawyer for Years
Despite many hints Britney gave the public, she mostly stayed silent on her conservatorship. Fans speculated that the court unfairly deemed her unable to care for herself while she was a successful performing pop star. Unknowingly, Britney had actually tried to end her conservatorship for years.
In her own words, she explained that every time she tried to get in touch with a law firm, her phone "was tapped" and they took it from her. She says she couldn't contact anyone "for so long". Court documents showed that she actually expressed opposition to the conservatorship more often than previously known.
What We Saw - Letting a Few Incriminating Words Slip
In the monumental MTV documentary Britney: For the Record, there were quite a few telling signs that Britney was, in fact, suffering at the hands of her father and the conservatorship. In the doc, she spoke very openly about her emotions and how she felt she was being misunderstood by her friends and family members.
One of the most shocking quotes from the documentary was when Britney referred to the arrangement she was in like it was being in jail. At the time, viewers felt sympathy for her, but no one was aware of the actual capacity of things.
Britney's Claim - Feelings of Abandonment
Fans were suspicious of the conservatorship from the very beginning, and pushed hard to help Britney get out of that situation. The #FreeBritney movement was eventually successful in bringing things to light, but it's her own words from the tell-all recording that show a peek into the hurt she felt back then.
The way Britney sees it, although her family supposedly tried to care for her, they actually "threw [her] away". She talked about feeling like "a machine. Not even human". According to her, people on the street were fighting harder for her than her mother or sister ever did.
What We Saw - Cooperating with the Conservatorship
In 2012 Jamie's lawyer, Leon Gladstone, shared a statement about Britney's family and their handling of the conservatorship. Referring to them as a "close family but not a perfect one", Gladstone said that the actions that have been taken were mandatory in the situation they were in after Britney's supposed 'breakdown' in 2008.
During that time, for all intents and purposes, it looked like Britney was cooperative with the arrangement. Even though she spoke about it negatively if she had the chance, she mostly stayed quiet and didn't seem to be fighting it.
Britney's Claim - Scared Out of Her Mind
Since Britney can now speak freely for herself, she has stated confidently that the conservatorship did "more harm than good". Another important aspect of her staying quiet and seemingly obeying the rules was mainly because of a lot of fear that was instilled in her.
According to Britney, her family "made [her] feel like nothing", and the only reason she went along with it was "because [she] was scared... and fearful". At first, she "honestly didn't know" she could voice her concerns and disagreement with the conservatorship. Then, it became an issue of apprehension.
What We Saw - Queen of Vegas
At the end of 2013, Britney entered another phase in her career - a Vegas residency. Her lavish show, Piece of Me, ran from December 2013 until December 2017, and was considered a very successful residency with great performances all-around.
One thing that was mentioned in many of the reviews written about the spectacle was that while Britney displayed impressive dance moves and the theatrics were mesmerizing, she didn't seem to be fully there in spirit.
Britney's Claim - Forced to Work, Feeling Like a Robot
One of the main claims Britney sustained in the 2022 recording, and also in her testimony in court when trying to end the conservatorship, was that she was forced to work. While we saw her on stage entertaining people every night, she was actually doing all of these things involuntarily.
Claiming she knows her performances were "horrible", she said she felt like a "robot" while doing her residency shows. Her sense of being demoralized affected much of what the audience saw on the stage.
What We Saw - Living Her Best Life During the Vegas Residency
To the world, Britney was working hard on her Piece of Me Vegas residency and enjoying every minute of it. She barely stepped out to celebrate, which people were probably applauding after her years of partying documented in front of the whole world.
Occasionally, she would take a break from performing and attend an award show, like she did back at the beginning of 2014 when she appeared on the red carpet in the People's Choice Awards. She won an award and looked every bit as serious and focused as she appeared in the residency shows.
Britney's Claim - Couldn't Even Have Cash
Opening up more than ever before in the recording, Britney gave a fuller picture of her time working on the residency. Apparently, all of this hard work paid off on stage, but when it came to her personal life and off-time, she couldn't do basic things like go out or have cash.
She detailed the experience, claiming she "couldn't have the nannies [she] wanted to have" or enjoy any of the "good stuff" like partying or being able to control her own hard-earned money. She also claimed that they treated her "like nothing" while referring to her as a superstar.
What We Saw - Keeping Up That Vegas Grind
Everything seemed to be going well during the time Britney had her Vegas residency, which was extremely successful. The show, which ran for four years, grossed an estimated $138 million. There were almost 250 shows all in all, with these numbers being very impressive for a pop icon like Britney.
Many of Britney's fans were glad she was focused on work and performing, but it was hard to grasp that the star only went out socially about twice during those four long years.
Britney's Claim - Planning a Secret Getaway with a Mystery Man
Another bombshell Britney dropped in the tell-all recording was that she tried her hardest to get out of the conservatorship arrangement-- so much so that she planned to leave the country. Without giving a name, Brit said there was a man who she was in a secret relationship with, and that they planned to get away.
Not being able to have any breaks during the residency, Britney started feeling suffocated. It got so severe, according to her, that she considered fleeing the country with said mystery man. Also, she was scared her father would hurt her if she did.
What We Saw - Working on a New Album
In 2016, as part of developing her musical career while still performing the Vegas residency, Britney started working on another album - Glory. After eight years of being under the conservatorship, she was caught saying proudly how influential this album was by a spectator on The Jonathan Ross Show who was in the audience.
According to the viewer, Britney told Jonathan that being under the conservatorship meant that "a lot of decisions were made for [her]", which is why she wanted Glory to be her "baby". The quote was apparently cut when the show aired.
Britney's Claim - the Only Thing She Could Be in Charge Of
Making of Glory turned out to be about much more than just making music. Britney shared in the recording that it was the first time she started "to get a spark back", after years of being monitored and controlled. Glory, to her, symbolized some sort of freedom, finally being able to make something that was completely hers.
She credits the album for making her gain some much needed confidence, and with that "comes enlightenment". She said she started thinking and seeing better, but that it was "the last thing they wanted for [her]".
What We Saw - an Admiring Younger Sister
A huge surprise awaited Britney when she attended the 2017 Radio Disney Music awards on April 29. She won the first-ever Icon Award, and her younger sister Jamie Lynn was the one to present it to her.
Before handing her the award, there was a performance honoring Britney's career by the show's hosts, Kelsea Ballerini and Sofia Carson with Hailee Steinfeld and surprise guest Jamie Lynn Spears, which also managed to shock the princess of pop.
Britney's Claim - They Were All in on It, Jamie Lynn Too
While many thought it was beautiful of Jamie Lynn to honor her sister, some avid fans noticed that Britney, sitting front row, wasn't too pleased with the performance. This display of familial love came across rather differently for her, saying she thought it was disrespectful.
Instead of feeling supported, Brit said she was "hurt... deeply" by her younger sister's actions. She stated that she felt like her entire family was in on the abuse, watching her work for years on end and not do anything to help her. Her sister's performance was just the icing on the cake.
What We Saw - the Rise and Fall of Britney, Once Again
After wrapping her successful Piece of Me residency in late 2017, Britney and her team almost immediately started working on another show called Britney: Domination. There was a big announcement in Vegas and a lot of hype about the new show, but in early 2019 it was declared that the show is cancelled.
At the time, Britney's reason for the shocking news was her focusing on mental health due to her father's sickness. After he was hospitalized, she had to pull back from the show and checked herself into a mental health facility.
Britney's Claim - One Refusal and She Was Back in Treatment
As it turns out, Britney has a different side to this story. In the astonishing recording, she said that the reason for canceling the upcoming tour did not stem from what the public thinks. She claims she was in rehearsals and refused to do a certain dance move when complete chaos ensued.
This refusal of hers, according to her, was the reason things got out of control and she had to go back into a mental health facility. The 30-day stay at the facility was, again, something that was done against her will.
What We Saw - a Doting Daughter and Another Road to Recovery
After the new show's cancellation, Britney took to social media to share an explanation. In the post, accompanied with a picture of her and her family, the text confirmed that it was due to her sick dad that she decided to take a mental health break.
After a 30-day stay, Britney left the facility and it was reported that "she will still be monitored from home". She said she would be going on an "indefinite work hiatus". Around that time, her fans started suspecting that she was being held against her will under the conservatorship.
Britney's Claim - Social Media Lies and Involuntary Treatment
Britney claimed this hospitalization was done involuntarily once again. After her refusal to a dance move in rehearsals, she was told she would have to mention her sick father as the reason for going to a mental health facility.
She recalls crying on the phone with her dad and questioning him about this decision, saying "why are you guys doing this?". According to her, his words hit hard, as he said that she doesn't have to go but if she doesn't, "we're gonna go to court... and you're gonna lose. [...] Don't even think of [trying to oppose]".
What We Saw - Being Pursued by Oprah
After Britney won her battle to end the conservatorship in November 2021, the road to revealing the truth was shorter than ever. While she tends to share her thoughts, now more openly, on social media, there was one thing many people wanted - an interview, hopefully with Oprah Winfrey.
Rumors started spiraling that there was one in the works in 2022. As the legendary talkshow host that she is, it was no wonder Oprah was trying to have a sit-down with Brit to talk about everything that has gone down in the last 13 years, and fans were thrilled.
Britney's Claim - There Was Much More Than an Interview on the Line
It was obvious that an interview with Oprah would be explosive if it would ever air. It was also obvious that Britney, no matter who she might choose to have an interview with, would be getting a LOT of money for it.
In the recording, she claimed she's had "tons of opportunities" to express herself and share "the hardships". Apparently, despite many people thinking she would, she chose not to because she feels like it's "silly" to get paid in order to tell one's story. She said that the scope of her story is beyond a sit-down interview.
What We Saw - a Mother's Public Plea to Her Daughter
Like mother, like daughter - Britney, whether it was completely coming from her or not, has loved sharing bits and pieces of her life with her followers on social media. Her mother, Lynne, is apparently the same. Only a few hours after Britney's recording dropped, Lynne decided to post a throwback picture of the two of them with a heartfelt message.
The public post, which has been blocked from receiving comments, is directed straight at Britney. These two clearly have a lot to discuss, as it seems like they haven't been in touch recently.
Britney's Claim - Mother's (Lack Of) Action Hurt the Most
Although Lynne's message to her daughter is touching, it seems like Britney's lack of (public) response to her comes after years of feeling mistreated. While she blames her father mostly, she said she was angrier at her mom for not speaking up.
One of the things Britney found hardest to accept was the way her family got away with it. As for her mother, who she says could've helped get her a lawyer "in literally two seconds", Britney didn't accept her position of being powerless over the situation and saying things like 'we're praying for her' instead of actually helping.