Britney Spears has apologized to her fans for not being completely honest about her controversial conservatorship, saying she “was embarrassed to share what happened to me.”
Posting on Instagram to her 30.6 million followers, Spears released her first public statement since her courtroom testimony. The pop star explained that her social media persona had given people the wrong impression of her wellbeing, saying she regrets “pretending like I've been OK the past two years”.
On Wednesday, Spears called on a judge to end the conservatorship that has given her father, Jamie Spears, control of her finances, medical care, and career for 13 years. Addressing the LA court via phone, Britney described the conservatorship as “abusive”. In a 25-minute speech, the singer revealed how she had felt forced to perform and had almost zero privacy. Britney claims she was forced to use birth control, take medication, and attend therapy sessions against her will. Britney has been held to a court-ordered conservatorship since 2008, following many public displays of her personal issues.
Posting on Instagram, Britney told fans how she regrets letting “pride” get in the way of showing people how she was “going through hell”. “I just want to tell you guys a little secret. I believe as people we all want the fairy tale life and by the way I've posted ... my life seems to look and be pretty amazing ... I think that's what we all strive for!!!!”
Britney, 39, continued to say, “That was one of my mother's best traits ... no matter how shitty a day was when I was younger ... for the sake of me and my siblings she always pretended like everything was ok. I'm bringing this to people's attention because I don't want people to think my life is perfect because IT'S DEFINITELY NOT AT ALL”.
However, Spears did say how pretending to be fine on social media has “actually helped” her.
“If you have read anything about me in the news this week ... you obviously really know now it's not !!!! I apologize for pretending like I've been ok the past two years ... I did it because of my pride and I was embarrassed to share what happened to me ... but honestly who doesn't want to capture their Instagram in a fun light!!!! Believe it or not pretending that I'm ok has actually helped.
“I decided to post this quote today because by golly if you're going through hell ... I feel like Instagram has helped me have a cool outlet to share my presence ... existence ... and to simply feel like I matter despite what I was going through and hey it worked ... so I've decided to start reading more fairy tales!!!!!”
During her appearance in court, Britney explained how people have controlled, manipulated, and exploited her throughout her life. However, Ms Spears has demanded changes going forward, as it is something the singer wants and deserves. In response to her remarks, Jamie Spears’ attorney, Vivian Thoreen told reporters, “Mr. Spears loves his daughter and misses her very much.”
Court resumes with further hearings set for July 14th.
