The New York Times documentary Framing Britney Spears put a major spotlight on Britney Spears’ legal issues and the “Free Britney” movement. The documentary didn’t paint the elder Spears in the best light. After months of silence, he finally spoke out through his lawyer, who stated that the popstar’s fans have it so wrong about the movement.
For almost two years, the relationship between Britney Spears and her father, Jamie, has slowly deteriorated. At this point, it’s no secret the two no longer see eye-to-eye on his role in her conservatorship. But, the elder Spears finally decided to speak his piece on the situation. His lawyer, Vivian Thoreen, spoke with Good Morning America recently. She alluded to the “Free Britney” movement and Framing Britney Spears’ view on the Spears patriarch:
I understand that every story needs a villain, but people have it so wrong here. This is a story about a fiercely loyal, loving, and dedicated father who rescued his daughter from a life-threatening situation. People were harming her, and they were exploiting her.
The interview soon turned to Britney Spears’ financial situation as GMA compared her finances in 2008 to those in 2019. Vivian Thoreen was asked how Spears’ father was able to turn things around. Thoreen spoke on the collaborative nature of the conservatorship:
Britney makes decisions all the time. If she wants to perform, if she wants to record an album, if she wants her name and likeness used, or if she just wants to live her life like a normal person, Jamie collaborates with Britney to make that happen.
Along with Jamie Spears’ statements through Vivian Thoreen, Good Morning America showed previously unseen footage of Britney Spears with her family. Spears’ words spoke more to a father just wanting the best for his daughter. He says he had all the best intentions by acting as a conservator for his daughter during a hard time. At this point, the younger Spears just wants to have more control over her life. While the elder Spears’ approach initially worked, the father and daughter have come to a crossroads when it comes to her life.
Even before the documentary aired, The “Free Britney” movement played a key role in the legal fight between Britney Spears and her father. The movement was meant to advocate for Spears since the conservatorship began. While Spears’ legal team had some victories here and there, Spears’ father still hasn’t been removed as her conservator. The situation became an even hotter topic after the release of Framing Britney Spears, prompting her boyfriend Sam Asghari to speak out for the first time. But, Jamie Spears isn’t the only one who felt the heat, as Diane Sawyer, Justin Timberlake and many others were called out for their treatment of the pop superstar. Timberlake even went as far as apologizing to Spears and pop icon Janet Jackson, with neither woman giving him a direct, public response.
By speaking through his lawyer, Jamie Spears was finally able to give his part of this messy story. But, Britney Spears still deserves to have a say in her life – both financially and personally. Hopefully, the father and daughter will be able to come to a mutual understanding for the sake of their relationship.
