I remember being stood in front of my mirror in my childhood room, "Lucky" by Britney Spears on full blast from my CD player, with my makeshift hairbrush microphone in hand, singing along so loud that my neighbors (and parents) probably used earplugs on the daily. In The Zone was the first album I ever owned, and Britney was one of my biggest idols. Fast forward to 2021, and I've been equally invested in the star – but for very different reasons.
Britney's ongoing legal battle with her father has finally seen a positive update, as Jamie Spears has finally agreed to step down from his role as her conservator, and has filed the official documents. Following years of fans recognizing the singer's struggles, social media messages, and no free will, Britney might finally regain her freedom. "We look forward to continuing our vigorous investigation into the conduct of Mr. Spears, and others, over the past 13 years," said Britney's lawyer, Mathew Rosengart on August 12.
In a hearing on July 14, Britney told the court that she was, "here to get rid of my dad and charge him with conservatorship abuse… I was always extremely scared of my dad.” She also went on to tell stories of her dad's actions throughout her years placed under the conservatorship, telling the court that, "The people who did this to me should not get away and be able to walk away so easily. Recap: I was on tour in 2018. I was forced to do. My management said if I don't do this tour, I will have to find an attorney and by contract my own management could sue me if I didn't follow through with the tour." She also added that her father, "handed me a sheet of paper as I got off the stage in Vegas and said I had to sign it. It was very threatening and scary and with the conservatorship, I couldn't even get my own attorney. So out of fear, I went ahead and I did the tour."
Jamie Spears has been in charge of Britney's career, life, and finances since 2008, and the singer's lawyers called his agreement to step down, "a major victory for Britney Spears and another step toward justice." In the court filings, it is written that her father "intends to work with the court and his daughter's new attorney to prepare for an orderly transition to a new conservator."
It is a great day for Britney Spears, and it is a fantastic development in the long battle that's taken place. Fans can now take a deep breath, as Jamie Spears has officially filed the documents to end Britney's conservatorship. The #FreeBritney movement lives on, knowing that its massive social media presence and pressure have done some good. My childhood hero is finally free from her conservatorship – I'm listening to In The Zone on repeat to celebrate.
