Britney Spears scores in court – in her guardianship dispute, she can now choose her own lawyer. At a hearing, she again attacks father Jamie violently.
Los Angeles – points victory for pop star Britney Spears: The singer, who has been under guardianship since 2008, can now choose her own lawyer.
A judge in Los Angeles complied with the 39-year-old’s declared wish. It was another emotional hearing in the year-long legal battle that is now making headlines at the singer’s initiative.
Spears will be represented by Mathew Rosengart, who previously worked with clients such as Sean Penn, Keanu Reeves and Steven Spielberg. He will now, according to Spears’ wishes, “quickly and aggressively” to depose her father Jamie as guardian, said Rosengart after the hearing in front of the press.
Serious allegations against father
Spears, who had already raised allegations against her family, carers and lawyers three weeks ago in an emotional speech, spoke up again by telephone in the court and again attacked her 68-year-old father heavily. She wants to sue him for abuse of guardianship, said the singer according to US media reports. She was threatened and was very afraid of her father. In places the pop star broke out in sobs.
In June, Spears had called for an end to guardianship over her person and finances in a hearing. She feels that her family and managers have taken advantage of her. She is controlled by everyone and cannot determine her own life, explained the singer of hits like “Oops! … I Did It Again” or “Baby One More Time”.
Their first public statement in the dispute had caused quite a stir. A little later, her long-time manager, Larry Rudolph, resigned, and then her court-appointed attorney, Sam Ingham, backed out. Ingham requested at the beginning of July that he wanted to be released from his duties as soon as a successor was found.
Judge Brenda Penny accepted his resignation and installed Spears’ preferred candidate, Rosengart. Jodi Montgomery is still responsible as co-guardian for the singer’s personal needs, including medical issues.
Guardianship since 2008
After the singer had mentally collapsed due to professional and personal problems, a court had transferred her father’s guardianship in 2008. Initially, he managed his famous daughter’s assets and private affairs. In 2019 he stepped down, but remained responsible for finances. Spears’ net worth is estimated at $ 60 million.
Rosengart went straight to the point at the hearing. If Jamie Spears really loved his daughter, he would step down as guardian today, the new attorney said. It is to be expected that Rosengart will now quickly file an application for termination of guardianship.
Fans demonstrate
Many celebrities and fans have sided with the singer on social media under the hashtag “#FreeBritney”. Hundreds of supporters took to the streets in Los Angeles, Washington, London and other cities, calling for freedom for Spears with chants and posters.
Gregg Donovan also joined the loud protest in Los Angeles with a “Free Britney” poster. He is known as the self-proclaimed “Hollywood ambassador” with a red tailcoat and black top hat in the tourist mile. He was completely upset, said the Californian of the German press agency. “Britney has sense, she is normal and she makes money. It’s high time she got free. “
Spears thanked her “great” fans for their support on Wednesday evening (local time) on Twitter and Instagram. Things are looking up with a new lawyer. “I am grateful and consider myself happy,” wrote Spears about a short video, on horseback and cycling in a meadow. This is how she would celebrate now, she said under the hashtag “#FreeBritney”. dpa
