Britney Spears wins over her father

Britney Spears was under her father’s tutelage for 13 years. In her fight against it, the singer received numerous support. Now the court is also taking the side of the pop star.

Los Angeles – For Britney Spears’ attorney it is a “great day for justice”, for the pop star it is another milestone on her long path to a self-determined life:

After 13 years under the tutelage of her father, Jamie Spears, the 39-year-old singer took a big step closer to her goal of “Free Britney” on Wednesday. In a Los Angeles courtroom, Judge Brenda Penny took out “in the best interests of those in custody” against Spears’ 69-year-old father and deposed him as guardian.

In doing so, she complied with the urgent request from Mathew Rosengart, who, as the singer’s lawyer, had long been demanding the removal of her father. “Britney deserves to wake up tomorrow without her father as a guardian,” said Rosengart in court, as the broadcaster CNN reported. At the hearing, he described Jamie Spears as a “cruel, toxic and abusive man”. On Wednesday, the court temporarily appointed accountant John Zabel – until the end of the year – as guardian of the singer’s finances.

Loud cheers broke out in front of the courthouse in Los Angeles. Hundreds of fans had gathered there and called for freedom for Spears with chants and posters. The singer stayed away from the hearing, but on Instagram she reacted quickly to the legal victory. “I’m in seventh heaven right now,” wrote Spears about a video that shows her next to a pilot in the cockpit of a small propeller plane. For the first time he would pilot an airplane. She did not say the time and place of her soaring.

Her fiancé, Sam Asghari (27), congratulated her on Instagram with a photo of a lioness. “The power of the lioness,” he wrote on the hashtag #freebritney. Several famous colleagues also congratulated on Twitter. “Thank you God,” wrote singer Cher. She’d talked about it for years and prayed for Spears. “I am more than thrilled! Blessed be our superstar. “

Dionne Warwick described the court ruling as “wonderful news” and wrote: “She can breathe now. Congratulations Britney. Enjoy your life. ”“ Congratulations ”also came from Michael Jackson’s sister La Toya, who shared a photo of the singer.

But the judge’s verdict on Wednesday was only a partial victory for the pop star, because the guardianship regulation remains in place for the time being. According to the TMZ.com portal, the next hearing in the case will take place on November 12th. Then the court could decide on the possible lifting of all conditions, it said. On this point, Jamie Spears and lawyer Rosengart exceptionally agree: Both pleaded for the complete abolition of guardianship.

Jamie Spears (69) has been the guardian of his daughter since 2008 after the singer collapsed mentally due to personal and professional problems. At first he managed the millions of dollars and private concerns of his daughter. In 2019 he stepped down, but remained responsible for finances. Since then, Jodi Montgomery has been responsible for the singer’s personal concerns, including medical issues.

Allegations also against family and caregivers

At hearings in June and July, Spears had aggressively attacked her father in emotional speeches and made allegations against her family and caregivers. She is controlled by everyone and cannot determine her own life, explained the singer of hits such as “Oops! … I Did It Again “or” Baby One More Time “. She has been threatened and is afraid of her father. In places, the pop star broke out in sobs.

According to a new documentary in the “New York Times”, Spears is said to have been under massive surveillance for years under the tutelage of her father. A listening device was installed in her bedroom and data was copied onto her cell phone, the documentary “Controlling Britney Spears” said, citing material that had been made available by a former employee of a security company. With “Britney vs Spears” the streaming service Netflix published another documentary with allegations this week.

The Spears case had already received a lot of attention through the first documentary in the “New York Times” on the subject in the spring. “Framing Britney Spears” sparked heated discussions, especially in the social networks. Many celebrities and fans then expressed their support for the singer under the hashtag “#FreeBritney”.

For 13 years under guardianship, the mother of two continued to stand on stage, making millions with music and other businesses. Her father defended himself in court that he only acted in the best interests of his daughter. Rosengart firmly rejected this representation. Britney had a year-long nightmare staged by her father and others, said the lawyer after the court hearing in front of reporters and cheering fans. He was proud of her courage, her strength and her sharpness in this legal battle.

The fight now apparently continues. Rosengart said that he would take Jamie Spears and others to court if it was found they had embezzled funds or misused. Britney fans meanwhile savored the happy day. “I’m so happy for you, freedom is coming,” congratulated a user on Spears’ Instagram page with red heart emojis. Another commented: “Congratulations, Queen, you deserve the whole world.” Dpa