Britney Spears appeared before a judge on Wednesday, asking to end the court conservatorship that has controlled her life and money since 2008. Spears’ request at a Los Angeles hearing was the first time she spoke in open court under the conservatorship during its 13-year existence.
In the written speech that lasted more than 20 minutes, Spears revealed many details that have been carefully guarded for years by the court. Spears, speaking by phone, called the conservatorship “abusive” and condemned her father and the others who have controlled it, saying: “I want to end this conservatorship without being evaluated,” Spears said, adding, “This conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good. I deserve to have a life.” Spears said she wants to marry her boyfriend Sam Asghari and have a baby, but the conservatorship won’t allow her to, telling the court she’s being forced to take birth control against her will. When an attorney representing her co-conservator said the hearing and transcript should be kept sealed, Spears objected, saying “They’ve done a good job at exploiting my life, so I feel like it should be an open court hearing and they should listen and hear what I have to say.”
James Spears serves as co-conservator of his daughter’s finances, and also had control of her life decisions for most of the conservatorship. The conservatorship was put in place as she underwent a mental health crisis in 2008. Vivian Thoreen, attorney for James Spears, gave a brief statement on his behalf: “He is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain. Mr. Spears loves his daughter, and misses her very much.”
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