Fans of Britney Spears are calling to #FreeBritney from her conservatorship.
The pop star, 38, has not been in complete control of her finances and important life choices since 2008, following her public mental health breakdown the year prior.
Britney’s father James ‘Jamie’ Spears has been her co-conservator since 2008 and is believed to still be handling her finances while a professional co-conservator now handles her personal affairs due her father’s health issues.
According her Los Angeles lawyer Samuel Ingham when speaking to USA Today last year, Britney did not attend a hearing on the matter in December because she “does not object” to either her father or the professional co-conservator handling her finances or personal affairs.
The conservatorship has been extended to August 22 with temporary conservator Jodi Montgomery to stay on in the role, according to court documents seen by ET.
Montgomery is reported to be Britney’s longtime care manager.
However, this has not stopped Britney’s fans from loudly proclaiming that the Womanizer star needs to be awarded her true independence.
(Image: Instagram)
The issue has received further focus following the announcement from rapper Kanye West that he will be running for the office of President of the United States of America in 2020.
Kanye tweeted yesterday: “We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION.”
He was supported by wife Kim Kardashian, who shared his tweet with an emoji of the American flag.
In 2016, Kanye himself was hospitalised and held involuntarily due to mental health issues.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Many Britney fans have now taken to social media to point out what they see as a double standard when it comes to gender and issues surrounding mental health in the US.
One Britney fan wrote on Twitter : “Britney Spears goes through a mental health crisis publicly and she loses her rights.
“Kanye West goes through a mental health crisis publicly and he runs for president. #FreeBritney.”
A different admirer of Britney commented: “Kanye can run for Pres but Britney Spears can’t even vote becuz her father holds her in a permanent conservatorship #FreeBritney & restore her civil rights.”
(Image: FilmMagic)
Elsewhere, another person criticised conservatorship and tweeted: “A man has a mental breakdown, he runs for president. A woman has a mental breakdown, she’s stripped of all basic rights. Kanye’s a joke and #FreeBritney. I hate Hollywood.”
Another fan of the singer wrote: “Why is Britney still being shamed for what she…
Read More: Britney Spears fans call to Free Britney as Kanye West runs for president