Last week, a documentary on Britney Spears’ conservatorship by the New York Times, “Framing Britney Spears,” sparked widespread outrage on the court process and the singer’s father Jamie Spears’ role in the conservatorship. The documentary shows #FreeBritney activists who say the probate court has kept Britney Spears under legal restraints against her will. 

A few days later, as the latest twist in the long court battle between Britney Spears and her father, Los Angeles judge Brenda Penny denied a request by Jamie Spears’ to remove third-party Bessemer Trust Co. as a co-conservator of the singer’s estate. Earlier, the judge in the case denied the pop star’s request to completely remove her father as conservator. 

Britney Spears’ conservatorship has been controversial for years. Conservatorship is the appointment of an individual or a corporation with trustee powers by the court, to manage the financial affairs of other person who is considered unable to manage his or her own financial matters. Conservatorship is typically carried out on short-term arrangements, but Britney Spears’ conservatorship has remained in place since 2008.

Numerous fans and #FreeBritney activists are worried about Britney’s well-being, and raise questions about the true motives of Jamie Spears as a conservator, the singer’s entourage in keeping the arrangement in place, as well as the role of the media in the affair.  

Additional hearings are scheduled for 17 March and 27 April.