Britney Spears

[fly girl]

Her kids are 17 and 18, I think they’re old enough to understand (at least I hope so).

I don’t know why you quoted me as I never mentioned her sons.

I agree with you, I think they are old enough to understand.

 

[mjkacmom]

I don’t know why you quoted me as I never mentioned her sons.

I agree with you, I think they are old enough to understand.

Didn’t mean too, my iPad is ancient and glitchy!

 

[mylilnikita]

Even though I think JT is talented , I also think he is a jerk and has been for years … when he was on a radio show and said he had slept with her.
Cry me a river video saying it wasn’t supposed to be her and his interviews.
also Janet Jackson incident and how he acted afterwards or how he messed around on his wife.

 

[fly girl]

Didn’t mean too, my iPad is ancient and glitchy!

No worries!

 

[TheIncredibles!]

She was controlled right down to her bedtime prior to her escaping her father's control. I find it difficult to say that the time to speak up has passed when she is only just now in control of her own voice.

 

[cabanafrau]

She was controlled right down to her bedtime prior to her escaping her father's control. I find it difficult to say that the time to speak up has passed when she is only just now in control of her own voice.

Having the ability to speak out and truly being in control of her own voice are not necessarily the same thing. Britney's behavior since the conservatorship has ended do not lead me to believe she is capable of the insight necessary to express her truth. Her feelings are a separate matter. I do believe she is expressing her feelings truthfully. I'm not at all sure everything she feels is commensurate with the facts.

Based on multiple public incidents years back it seems pretty clear to me she was an individual in need of help overseeing her daily life and receiving necessary care. Ideally a parent or loved one would have been capable and willing to step forward to move heaven and earth to see to it that she was returned to health in the least restrictive manner possible. Evidence points to her father being incapable, perhaps through lack of knowledge, perhaps through not being the best example of fatherhood out there, maybe some combination of both.

Any negatives surrounding the circumstances of her father serving as conservator may have been complicated by the complexities of her particular deficits/needs/circumstances. Based on her public incidents and behavior, her admission of abusing Adderall (Lindsey Lohan spiral similarities), and the curious fact her mother did not attempt to intervene and ask the court that dad be removed make me think mom was well aware her daughter had serious issues and she felt a strong hand was required to prevent tragedy and felt she didn't know what to do any better or any differently for her daughter and in her heart believed family was better than an outsider.

Unpacking what led to Britney being in dire straits in the first place requires extensive professional assistance. Before tattling on social media and spilling on the pages of a book she needs to put in a lot of hard work with a trusted professional that she feels comfortable with airing out her feelings about situations in her past. That's her path to getting the monkey(s) off her back. It's going to take her an awful lot of hard work that only she can do -- not that she seems motivated, capable, interested or even aware it's necessary for her own sake.

Everybody celebrating her "freedom" and right to voice her truth at this point is giving her what she's angling for, but it's not truly what she needs or what will lead to her peace and happiness. Right now she's spouting off like an enraged, surly teenager. At this point she'd be better off screaming her head off into a pillow or her closet or something, because that at least would be somewhat beneficial to her psyche in the moment. I suspect a healthy Britney might write quite a different book about her past experiences and might one day come to regret this one, and all the opportunities she's missed since she's been able to "control her own life". Past boyfriends, family, record execs, etc. might still expect to be faced with rebuke. I don't see anything to celebrate for her at this point. I see someone who still needs serious professional help, an ability to look at herself and her life with perspective and insight, a truly loving and solid support system -- and remaining off substances, which I think has been ongoing since her initial collapse. Substances might have been different under the conservatorship and not of her choosing, but I believe pre-during and post-conservatorship substances have been seriously muddying the waters.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

it's not truly what she needs or what will lead to her peace and happiness.

I'm not sure anyone of us can speak on this. I would imagine if you were in her shoes you'd like to have the agency to choose or not to choose to do it. I'd like to think those around you would support you as well should you have disclosed you had an abortion (coerced or otherwise).

 

[cabanafrau]

I'm not sure anyone of us can speak on this. I would imagine if you were in her shoes you'd like to have the agency to choose or not to choose to do it. I'd like to think those around you would support you as well should you have disclosed you had an abortion (coerced or otherwise).

Writing this book at this stage isn't going to make her better anymore than someone wallowing in tubs of ice cream or bags of potato chips. It might feel good at the moment it touches the lips, but the after effects not so much.

Were she in a better, more stable place writing a book could be cathartic and a great way to prove to herself just how far she's come. At this point she's simply a teenager howling in rage and pain, getting nowhere personally while making money for other people. Nothing I've said is an attempt to deny her the agency to speak her truth. Screaming her truth from a megaphone book in the state she's in will make it all the easier for the truth of her experience to get swept under the carpet and the times she was actually mistreated and potentially worse to get disregarded. Speaking her truth with perspective and insight would command respect that might produce real change in regards to the ability of others to treat her or anybody that way in the future.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Writing this book at this stage isn't going to make her better anymore than someone wallowing in tubs of ice cream or bags of potato chips. It might feel good at the moment it touches the lips, but the after effects not so much.

Were she in a better, more stable place writing a book could be cathartic and a great way to prove to herself just how far she's come. At this point she's simply a teenager howling in rage and pain, getting nowhere personally while making money for other people. Nothing I've said is an attempt to deny her the agency to speak her truth. Screaming her truth from a megaphone book in the state she's in will make it all the easier for the truth of her experience to get swept under the carpet and the times she was actually mistreated and potentially worse to get disregarded. Speaking her truth with perspective and insight would command respect that might produce real change in regards to the ability of others to treat her or anybody that way in the future.

That's not really something anyone can speak on. Maybe for you you'd say it's not going to make you feel better but we're not her.

In all honesty your specific language you use with respects to her speaking about abortion are iffy at best. I would not describe any woman who chooses to speak about an abortion they had no matter the reason, no matter the public nature of it, no matter how long ago as all the ways you have.

It's a deeply personal topic and one that as a woman I don't feel I have the right to tell someone else to be quiet about. Just because of her celebrity status does not mean she's not allowed to speak what she wants to speak concerning her own body. I realize people will pick apart anything that she says or does but on this topic itself I'd hope people can use a bit more understanding.

TBH without her case I'm not sure the public would have known just how some conservatorships become. Many were horrified at the level of control someone else had of her going beyond what any of us could imagine. In addition we're finding out a lot about how teenage celebrities were treated years later, hers is just the latest. (Kesha is another one I can think of as an artist how it came about the treatment she underwent coming out years later to the public but there are plenty more).

 

[cabanafrau]

That's not really something anyone can speak on. Maybe for you you'd say it's not going to make you feel better but we're not her.

In all honesty your specific language you use with respects to her speaking about abortion are iffy at best. I would not describe any woman who chooses to speak about an abortion they had no matter the reason, no matter the public nature of it, no matter how long ago as all the ways you have.

It's a deeply personal topic and one that as a woman I don't feel I have the right to tell someone else to be quiet about. Just because of her celebrity status does not mean she's not allowed to speak what she wants to speak concerning her own body. I realize people will pick apart anything that she says or does but on this topic itself I'd hope people can use a bit more understanding.

TBH without her case I'm not sure the public would have known just how some conservatorships become. Many were horrified at the level of control someone else had of her going beyond what any of us could imagine. In addition we're finding out a lot about how teenage celebrities were treated years later, hers is just the latest.

I am talking about the book as a whole, not simply the abortion revelation. I hardly find the fact she had an abortion particularly shocking or salacious.

I suppose you're fixated on my prior comment about the abortion revelation in relation to her children and Justin's child. Her sons are old enough to be aware of the concept of abortion. That's quite a different thing from their mother, who they have a complicated relationship with, making such a public revelation and the way she framed it and the impact they may feel from it.

Curiously she was apparently older than her sons are when she experienced this event, and her youth is to be considered but theirs isn't? It wasn't their experience, but IMO they deserve at least some consideration as the children of a very high profile person, especially in light of all the turbulence. I think Justin is a father now to at least one child as well, unsure of age(s). Doesn't that child(ren) deserve some consideration in this public blast too? Do you think it's impossible any of their peers will make comments to them about the information that's gone viral? I doubt any of that means a thing to her, anymore than her own sons' discomfort about her social media activities meant anything to her. For someone so angry about her feelings being disregarded and the wounds she bears, regularly putting her family on blast, she seems to have zero compunction disregarding how her words or actions impact her own sons.

Telling her truth as she sees it is all well and good. Hope it helps her, but I have grave reservations. I have no interest in gagging her. But then again, I'm not looking to make a buck off her either. As I said before, she may be telling the truth as she sees it, however that is a different thing from a factual recount. People may get hurt and have reputations dinged by what she says. Those chips can fall where they may. IMO it's not okay to overlook how what she says may cause collateral damage to complete innocent bystanders who had no involvement in the events, but may face consequences of her revelations all the same. That's not the same as trying to stop a woman from telling her abortion experience, not even in the same galaxy.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I am talking about the book as a whole, not simply the abortion revelation. I hardly find the fact she had an abortion particularly shocking or salacious.

I suppose you're fixated on my prior comment about the abortion revelation in relation to her children and Justin's child. Her sons are old enough to be aware of the concept of abortion. That's quite a different thing from their mother, who they have a complicated relationship with, making such a public revelation and the way she framed it and the impact they may feel from it.

Curiously she was apparently older than her sons are when she experienced this event, and her youth is to be considered but theirs isn't? It wasn't their experience, but IMO they deserve at least some consideration as the children of a very high profile person, especially in light of all the turbulence. I think Justin is a father now to at least one child as well, unsure of age(s). Doesn't that child(ren) deserve some consideration in this public blast too? Do you think it's impossible any of their peers will make comments to them about the information that's gone viral? I doubt any of that means a thing to her, anymore than her own sons' discomfort about her social media activities meant anything to her. For someone so angry about her feelings being disregarded and the wounds she bears, regularly putting her family on blast, she seems to have zero compunction disregarding how her words or actions impact her own sons.

Telling her truth as she sees it is all well and good. Hope it helps her, but I have grave reservations. I have no interest in gagging her. But then again, I'm not looking to make a buck off her either. As I said before, she may be telling the truth as she sees it, however that is a different thing from a factual recount. People may get hurt and have reputations dinged by what she says. Those chips can fall where they may. IMO it's not okay to overlook how what she says may cause collateral damage to complete innocent bystanders who had no involvement in the events, but may face consequences of her revelations all the same. That's not the same as trying to stop a woman from telling her abortion experience, not even in the same galaxy.

I didn't even know you are the poster who brought up her kids so no I'm not fixated on that. The thread was discussing her mentioning her abortion and the seeming urging on JT's part to do it. Even if you think you're talking about the book in its entirety that doesn't really seem to change how you feel about it all which appears to be keep it behind closed doors you don't want to hear it. As far as your last statement that's more or less my point. Because of her status she's supposed to not say anything that goes on because of it. While I think those in the public eye need to have a more careful consideration than the majority of us who just post about it on Facebook that does not mean they can't tell their story. There's a lot of information we wouldn't know about unless people told their stories. Even if you think broadly how the music business could have treated a 17 year old (which includes even the pressures JT could have been under if he did truly push her to get it). As far as consideration for JT tricky one. If I had someone who pushed me to get an abortion I wouldn't give them consideration. That's taking her at face value. But that doesn't mean you're not incorrect about those potentially affected but that also doesn't mean you should keep silent because of that, that's how society got the way it did for many years.

The thing is about celebrities is they are often never able to make a "right" decision to some people. You say you don't want to gag her but then if she just said it on Twitter or any other venue you'd likely find a problem with that saying much of what you've been describing, effectively you are saying she just needs to zip her lips now and while I do understand your viewpoint I'm glad people are not as interested in keeping in the dark things that once were. It's about time we stop shying away from discussing bodily autonomy (speaking about the abortion but the larger conversation about conservatorship as well as abuses that occur and then on an even larger topic pressures these young celebrities deal with from harrassment, to eating disorders to mental health struggles). I'm not sure you remember how it was in the late 90s/early 2000s and just how far we've come (and in some ways regressed).

 

[#1hoosierfan]

It’s mentioned twice now. I AM THE POSTER! I am the poster that brought up her boys.

I know people will disagree and many have said since her boys are older teens hopefully they will “understand” what she is going thru. I would never put my boys, who are in their mid teens, in a position like that. I think it would already be hard enough living a “normal” life as Britney Spears kid.

I would think at worst they are probably mortified by her almost daily weird dancing while basically naked. At best, they probably feel sorry for her. Then again, maybe they are so far removed from her they don’t care.

 

[cabanafrau]

I didn't even know you are the poster who brought up her kids so no I'm not fixated on that. The thread was discussing her mentioning her abortion and the seeming urging on JT's part to do it. Even if you think you're talking about the book in its entirety that doesn't really seem to change how you feel about it all which appears to be keep it behind closed doors you don't want to hear it. As far as your last statement that's more or less my point. Because of her status she's supposed to not say anything that goes on because of it. While I think those in the public eye need to have a more careful consideration than the majority of us who just post about it on Facebook that does not mean they can't tell their story. There's a lot of information we wouldn't know about unless people told their stories. Even if you think broadly how the music business could have treated a 17 year old (which includes even the pressures JT could have been under if he did truly push her to get it). As far as consideration for JT tricky one. If I had someone who pushed me to get an abortion I wouldn't give them consideration. That's taking her at face value. But that doesn't mean you're not incorrect about those potentially affected but that also doesn't mean you should keep silent because of that, that's how society got the way it did for many years.

The thing is about celebrities is they are often never able to make a "right" decision to some people. You say you don't want to gag her but then if she just said it on Twitter or any other venue you'd likely find a problem with that saying much of what you've been describing, effectively you are saying she just needs to zip her lips now and while I do understand your viewpoint I'm glad people are not as interested in keeping in the dark things that once were. It's about time we stop shying away from discussing bodily autonomy (speaking about the abortion but the larger conversation about conservatorship as well as abuses that occur and then on an even larger topic pressures these young celebrities deal with from harrassment, to eating disorders to mental health struggles). I'm not sure you remember how it was in the late 90s/early 2000s and just how far we've come (and in some ways regressed).

I believe you missed the part where I said it would be better if she chooses to tell her story publicly to do so when she's healthy and stable, which I do not believe her to be. Telling her story right now gives some immediate gratification to the raging teenager inside of her, possibly negatively impacts some blameless people who don't deserve it, and makes money for those who have sidled up to her with encouragement so they make a quick buck.

Charlie Sheen hardly benefited from speaking his truth in his winning days -- but it entertained the masses and probably generated dollars for some people. Kanye would not be well served to write a book to tell his truth at this time, but it would probably cause quite a splash that he would be gratified by.

As I said, I believe it likely she would write the book differently if she had the benefit of perspective and insight, which I don't believe she currently has. If she does manage to get there someday she probably will regret releasing this book now. That doesn't mean she has to or should hide things. It may mean she would choose to omit things. That's her choice. She doesn't owe anyone anything she doesn't want to share. I would guess in a healthy state she'd want to have a heart to heart with her sons before dropping some information. Releasing these so-called bombshells now make book sales go up, which benefits some people. She could just as easily sell plenty of books about her story later, too. But she's easy prey currently. The stronger and healthier she is when she tells her truth the more credibility people will afford her, finally allowing her to speak her truth to the power she was mistreated by in the past -- maybe allowing her to see some taken to account or see some changes made in the industry.

 

[AgentMama]

She is revealing that she had an abortion when she was with Justin Timberlake mainly at his request.

Maybe just keep that private?!

Abortion is women's healthcare and shouldn't be a taboo subject.

Being a parent doesn't mean you shouldn't get called out for mistreatment of others. I have no sympathy for JT. He chose a public life and doesn't seem to be a very kind or ethical guy.

I hope Brittany gets the love and support she needs to heal from years of mistreatment.

 

[focusondisney]

I believe you missed the part where I said it would be better if she chooses to tell her story publicly to do so when she's healthy and stable, which I do not believe her to be. Telling her story right now gives some immediate gratification to the raging teenager inside of her, possibly negatively impacts some blameless people who don't deserve it, and makes money for those who have sidled up to her with encouragement so they make a quick buck.

Charlie Sheen hardly benefited from speaking his truth in his winning days -- but it entertained the masses and probably generated dollars for some people. Kanye would not be well served to write a book to tell his truth at this time, but it would probably cause quite a splash that he would be gratified by.

As I said, I believe it likely she would write the book differently if she had the benefit of perspective and insight, which I don't believe she currently has. If she does manage to get there someday she probably will regret releasing this book now. That doesn't mean she has to or should hide things. It may mean she would choose to omit things. That's her choice. She doesn't owe anyone anything she doesn't want to share. I would guess in a healthy state she'd want to have a heart to heart with her sons before dropping some information. Releasing these so-called bombshells now make book sales go up, which benefits some people. She could just as easily sell plenty of books about her story later, too. But she's easy prey currently. The stronger and healthier she is when she tells her truth the more credibility people will afford her, finally allowing her to speak her truth to the power she was mistreated by in the past -- maybe allowing her to see some taken to account or see some changes made in the industry.

I’m a retired RN. I didn’t work in mental health, but 35 years in woman’s health. I absolutely agree with you. I don’t think she is healthy & stable either. It’s sad & infuriating what her father & all the people who used her as a moneymaker did. She is an adult & has the right to accept or refuse help, but she does still seem to be in need of help. Many women in her mental/ emotional state find themselves in equally horrible situation… homeless, abusive relationships or prostitution. All very tragic situations.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

It’s mentioned twice now. I AM THE POSTER! I am the poster that brought up her boys.

I know people will disagree and many have said since her boys are older teens hopefully they will “understand” what she is going thru. I would never put my boys, who are in their mid teens, in a position like that. I think it would already be hard enough living a “normal” life as Britney Spears kid.

I would think at worst they are probably mortified by her almost daily weird dancing while basically naked. At best, they probably feel sorry for her. Then again, maybe they are so far removed from her they don’t care.

We're not famous so I'm pretty sure we're not going to know what it's like. Many child and teenage stars deal with issues either as they grow older or after they age. None of us could say what we would actually do unless you're a secret child star living out your days chatting on the DIS with strangers that is.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Abortion is women's healthcare and shouldn't be a taboo subject.

 

[#1hoosierfan]

We're not famous so I'm pretty sure we're not going to know what it's like. Many child and teenage stars deal with issues either as they grow older or after they age. None of us could say what we would actually do unless you're a secret child star living out your days chatting on the DIS with strangers that is.

Nope. Just a regular nobody.

As I clearly said, people will disagree. Obviously you do. I stand by what I said. I’m not ready to give her as much grace as many people on this thread do. My opinion.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Nope. Just a regular nobody.

As I clearly said, people will disagree. Obviously you do. I stand by what I said. I’m not ready to give her as much grace as many people on this thread do. My opinion.

Well yeah wasn't debating disagreeing just the confidence of saying you would never...well that's because we didn't live her life. Who the heck knows what we would do if we grew up as child star much less were held under conservatorship for years. Kinda reminds me of the cancer thread. Lot of people tsking away at financial responsibility but it's like I mean I'm not sure what I would do in that position of a cancer diagnosis. There's a whole world of difference in approving/disapproving and saying you would never do xyz.

 

[Turn the Page]

I've said it before and I'll say it again.....I may not have said it here but I have said it IRL.

As far as the conservatorship goes, clearly her father was not the right person to be in charge of it. That said, do you (collective you) have any idea what kind of case you have to have against an adult (let alone an adult with fancy attorneys in their corner) to get a conservatorship over them? You have to have one hell of a lot of evidence. My ex in laws consulted a lawyer about getting a conservatorship or POA or something over my ex at one point because at the time he had been in and out of rehab about 6 times and been in and out of the mental hospital another 6 times or so for suicide attempts such. The lawyer told them they didn't have a chance at getting a conservatorship over him when he was very clearly in crisis and couldn't care for himself.

Her argument that the conservatorship should end because her father wouldn't let her get her iud removed so she could have another baby was laughable. If you have a conservatorship in place it's because you have been deemed incompetent to make your own decisions, of course you therefore are unlikely to be able to care for a child, particularly when you already have 2 older children you have very little contact with.

Craziness all around.