People close to Britney Spears and lawyers tied to her conservatorship now reassess her phenomenal career and brutal downfall, as she battles her father in court over who should control her life.
FRAMING BRITNEY SPEARS
Conservatorship is a legal concept in the United States. A guardian or a protector is appointed by a judge to manage the financial affairs and/or daily life of another due to physical or mental limitations, or old age. A person under conservatorship is a “conservatee”, a term that can refer to an adult.
We open with chanting of “What do we want? Free Britney. When do we want it? Now!”, and we see people protesting and posting videos about her conservatorship and explaining what it is. We see some of her supporters posting videos and just out there supporting her. People asking why she’s still in this, and why her dad is in charge of all of this.
We get a definition of a conservator.
1: one that preserves from injury or violation
2: a person, official, or institution designated to take over and protect the interests of an incompetent
Back to supporters talking about how Britney helped them be who they are. We hear from Liz Day, senior editor, New York Times, she says that Britney had been under her conservatorship for 12 years. Her father has been in charge of her money for the past 12 years and her lawyer had just come out saying that she doesn’t want her father involved and wants him to step down, but he refuses.
We meet Felicia Culotta, Britney’s friend and former assistant. She said that at first they didn’t know what to call her. Some said chaperone, some said partner, then they landed on assistant. She said that she didn’t and still does not understand what a conservatorship is. She talks about Kentwood, LA where Britney grew up. She said that one of the reasons she agreed to do the interview was to remind people why they fell in love with her in the first place. Then we see her Star Search performance, “Love Can Build a Bridge.” Ed McMahon, host, asks Britney why she doesn’t have a boyfriend and she says they’re mean. Then he said “well, I’m not mean, what about me?” Hayley Hill, Former Teen People fashion director, Britney’s stylist, 1997-2001, said that of all the things you could talk to a female about it had to be boys, what else would you wanna say?
Nancy Carson, children’s talent agent, said that her family contacted her and asked what they should do with her. She told them she wanted to meet them in person. They took a train from Louisiana to New York, because they couldn’t afford to fly. She said her parents were very sweet and wanted her to succeed.
Jamie, Britney’s dad, according to her, was concerned about the financial aspect of it and wanted to make it happen but didn’t really know how. They decided that Lynne, Britney’s mom, and Britney would go to New York and take lessons and audition. She said Jamie would visit from time to time and was anxious to see the time be worthwhile; he needed to justify the time spent up there. All this led to Mickey Mouse Club. Britney loved it and when it ended she was devastated. After she went home and was there for 2 years. She went to high school and played basketball.
1997
Felicia said that before she worked with Britney, she was a nanny in New York. Lynne called and asked to have dinner with her. She asked her to travel with Britney, who had just gotten a record deal. Lynn couldn’t travel with her because she had Jamie Lynne at home. It worked out. Kim Kaiman, senior director of marketing Jive records, 1998-2004, said Britney went into her office, and Kim was impressed with her professionalism and how serious she took it.
Jamie was a heavy drinker and had been to rehab for it. He had some pretty unsuccessful business ventures and later filed for bankruptcy. He didn’t seem to be a big presence in her life. Kim Kaiman said that Lynne supported Britney. She makes it a point to say Lynne supported her. She said the only thing that Jamie said was, “She’s gonna be so big she’s gonna buy me a boat.”
1998
We see a video of Britney going to malls to perform her music. Wesley Morris, critic at large, The New York Times, talks about her “Baby One More Time” video and how it’s sexual in nature. We see footage of her performing it. Kim said that she captured that dichotomy of being a teenage girl so well. Teen girls want to be adults, but they’re also kids. She was everywhere and exploded. And this was during boyband times! She killed it.
One of the first things she did when she was just getting famous was get $10,000 in $100 bills and pass them out to people in her hometown. We see her on TRL, and then they interview Dave Holmes, MTV vj 1998-2002!! He said that she was approachable and played 1998 so well. At that time she’s everywhere. She had contracts with Pepsi & Polaroid. But then people start attacking her sexuality and morals. She came in at a time when Monica Lewinsky was big. People were attacking her sexuality. A talk show host says he needs to talk about her breasts. No one asked boy bands at the time about it. They just rip her apart about her look and how “slutty” she was.
Kevin Tancharoen, backup dancer/tour director 1999-2004, said when he was around her she was very creative, knew what she wanted to do and made that happen.
Then we talk about Britney and Justin as a couple. People wanted to know everything about them. Like if she was a virgin or not. No one asks Justin this. Then they break up. Justin made it seem like she cheated on him. “People made it seem like she was the school slut and he was the quarterback. He weaponizes his single to incriminate her in the demise of the relationship”, Wesley Morris says.
ABC’S “Primetime Thursday” airs an exclusive interview with Britney Spears, promising “no holds barred.” Diane Sawyer asks about Justin and said “Justin is going on television and saying that you broke his heart. You did something that caused him so much pain. What did you do?” She was being painted as the problem. Diane brings up how Britney has upset the wife of the governor of Maryland. Kendall Ehrlich: “… really, if I had an opportunity to shoot Britney Spears, I think I would.” Diane kinda doubles down saying, “because of the example for kids and how hard it is to be a parent.” She told Diane that she’s not here to babysit her kids. She starts crying while she talks about the tough year she’s had.
For part two, click here!
