The #FreeBritney hashtag was born in April 2019 as fans tried to figure out the hidden truths behind Britney Spears’ conservatorship. Major celebrities such as Paris Hilton and Miley Cyrus have shared their support for the #FreeBritney movement. Now that the “Framing Britney Spears” documentary has premiered, more celebs are coming forward to share their support for #FreeBritney.
But how did the #FreeBritney movement begin? Back in February 2008, Britney Spears had an infamous breakdown after divorcing Kevin Federline. At this point, her conservatorship began and she was placed under the legal guardianship of her father, Jamie Spears. He serves as the primary conservator with assistance from the lawyer Andrew Wallet and a licensed fiduciary named Jodi Montgomery.
Things began heating up in 2019 when Britney Spears decided to go on a work hiatus and then spent a month in a mental health facility. Wallet had resigned as co-conservator after Spears went on a work hiatus, and he tried — and failed — to return to conservator status in August 2020.
Meanwhile, Britney’s father, Jamie Spears, cited health reasons and relinquished his conservator control to Montgomery. Jamie Spears is supposed to take over again in August 2021, but Britney Spears had told the court she is opposed to her dad taking control again. She wants to keep Montgomery on and hire a corporate fiduciary to handle her dad’s conservator responsibilities.
Since 2019, the #FreeBritney movement has focused on finding out more about this conservatorship situation and offering Spears the freedom over her own estate. Jamie Spears had previously dismissed the #FreeBritney movement as being one of conspiracy theorists.
However, after the “Framing Britney Spears” episode of FX and Hulu show The New York Times Presents premiered on February 5, many celebrities took to social media to announce their support for the #FreeBritney movement and Britney Spears herself.
Here are a few of the celebs who have supported the #FreeBritney movement over the years.
Paris Hilton
On an “Andy Cohen Live” broadcast in September 2020, Hilton said, “I just love her so much. I feel like if you are an adult, you should be able to live your life and not be controlled.” She continued, saying, “After just working your whole life and working so hard, she’s this icon, and I just feel like she has no control of her life whatsoever, and I just don’t think that’s fair.”
Miley Cyrus
In an iHeartRadio Canada interview in August 2020, Miley Cyrus didn’t mince words. “Britney, like anyone else, should have the freedom to live the life that’s most authentic to her.”
And during her TikTok Tailgate Super Bowl pre-show on Sunday, Cyrus shouted out “Hey, we love Britney!” in the middle of performing “Party in the U.S.A.”
Christian Siriano
Fortune Feimster
Cher
Valerie Bertinelli
Hayley Williams
Meghan McCain
Missy Elliott
Tinashe
Bette Midler
Sarah Jessica Parker