The New York Times released a new piece where they explained Britney Spears’ current conservatorship. It has been eight years since the conservatorship went into effect following a very public breakdown by the singer, but there seems to be no end in sight, despite the fact that she’s had her life back on track for a long time now.
One of the most shocking revelations that the article uncovered is that Britney pays her dad, Jamie Spears, $130,000 a year to be her conservator. That’s right, she’s a grown woman worth over $30 million and she has to pay her father $130,000 a year to take control over her life.
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The conservatorship goes beyond just controlling her finances. Jamie, along with Andrew Wallett, a lawyer who specializes in conservatorships, also oversees and coordinates “Britney’s [redacted], business, costuming, personal, household stuff, and legal matters (touching upon entertainment, music, other business opportunities, family law issues, the litigation, trial and/or resolution of other disputes, and ongoing litigation and conservatorship matters).”
The whole thing reads like a huge over-reaction. Britney definitely had dark days in 2007 and certainly needed the help of her family and close friends to get her back on track, but eight years later, these duties are things she can handle. Since this conservatorship was put into place, she has released multiple albums and secured a residency in Las Vegas for her performances. She is no longer the struggling girl in her 20s.
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I think it’s important to point out that Britney didn’t slip into her rough period all by herself. She had a team that wasn’t looking out for her, she had a personal life that was falling apart and she had paparazzi constantly in her face looking for her to do the next “crazy” thing. People would antagonize her, then make a story about how she’s out of control. It’s wildly unfair to her to place all the consequences squarely on her shoulders (and bank account).
Britney hasn’t made any noise about ending the conservatorship, and she even approved an increase in salary for Jamie. So, for now the order will stand. “As long as she is bringing in so much money and as long as the lawyers and conservators are getting paid, there is little incentive to end it,” Elaine Renoire, president of the advocacy group National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse, told The New York Times. “Usually, the conservatorship just keeps going unless the conservatee makes a fuss or the family does.”
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If you’re making $130,000 a year to be a dad, you probably aren’t going to make a fuss.
As a fan of hers, and a fan of forgiveness, I hope she doesn’t feel taken advantage of or helpless in this situation. She deserves her freedom and some peace. It’s time to let go of “crazy” Britney and accept new and improved Britney, who has it together.
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