Britney Spears’ testimony touched off an outport of support from celebrities. (Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake was among a raft of stars sending solidarity and support to Britney Spears after her explosive court appearance.
Spears, 39, delivered a blistering 23-minute-long address on Wednesday (23 June) where she claimed that she has been “traumatised” by the last 13 years under her conservatorship.
A picture quickly emerged during the testimony, one where every part of Britney’s life – from her kitchen decor to her reproductive rights – is decided on her behalf by people whom she has no say over.
“After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time,” Timberlake, who dated Spears more than two decades ago, tweeted.
“Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was… what’s happening to her is just not right. No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body.
“No one should EVER be held against their will… or ever have to ask permission to access everything they’ve worked so hard for.”
Timberlake apologised earlier this year for his own role in Britney’s downfall when, after their high-profile breakup, he hinted that Spears had been unfaithful and went on to boast about having sex with her in radio interviews.
Within minutes after her explosive testimony, countless celebrities threw their weight behind Britney. Many tweeted to “Free Britney” – two words that have become a rallying cry among a dedicated wing of her fanbase to terminate the conservatorship.
“We love you Britney!!!” fellow pop music god Mariah Carey tweeted. “Stay strong.”
Tinashe wrote: “We love you SO MUCH [Britney Spears].”
“No words,” tweeted fashion designer Vera Wang. “Free Britney.”
“Bless Britney and I hope with my whole heart she is awarded freedom from this abusive system,” tweeted Halsey.
Bless Britney and I hope with my whole heart she is awarded freedom from this abusive system. She deserves it more than anything. I admire her courage speaking up for herself today.
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2021
“She deserves it more than anything. I admire her courage speaking up for herself today.”
Meanwhile, Brandy said, “Sending all my love and support to Britney Spears and her fans,” before adding: “Free Britney.”
“I pray that you get CONTROL over your life again,” Missy Elliot posted on her Instagram story, “and find PEACE and regain STRENGTH with all that you have endured.”
Missy Elliott speaks out in support of Britney Spears. ❤️#FreeBritney pic.twitter.com/N1pi8A3YVq
— Female Rap Room (@FemaleRapRoom) June 24, 2021
Spears’ claim that her dreams of having a third child were dashed by her conservators who refused to arrange a doctor’s appointment to have her IUD removed proved a particularly thorny point.
“Oldest trick in the playbook of the patriarchy,” said singer Liz Phair, “declare a woman mad and gain control of her assets/property. Been happening for centuries.”
Anyone saying she ‘seems unbalanced,’ please show me The equivalent conservatorships for male entertainers/athletes exhibiting erratic behavior. Where are all the MOMS controlling their grown son’s millions for a decade
— Liz Phair (@PhizLair) June 23, 2021
Courtney Love, a vocal critic of Jamie Spears who herself was allegedly nearly placed into a conservatorship, described the hearing almost like a “witch trial”.
Live! At the witch trials! Good one @PhizLair. 24 minutes in 13 years! After which #judgepenny shut her down; of course she did. https://t.co/surwXfRXdq
— Courtney Love Cobain (@Courtney) June 24, 2021
“Twenty-four minutes in 13 years!” she stressed.
Actor Rose McGowan also laced into the arrangement, saying Spears “has every right to be angry”.
Britney Spears’ two-pronged conservatorship initially saw her father be granted authority over her personal life and her financial estate in 2008 following her mental health crisis.
He stepped down from his post of managing her physical and mental wellbeing in 2019, prompting the courts to appoint a professional caretaker in his place.
Jamie currently still oversees Spears’ thumping $60 million fortune, but was made by the courts to share control of it with the wealth management firm Bessemer Trust Co – one Britney herself requested, notching a small win.