8 things we learned from Britney Spears’ dramatic long-awaited court appearance

Britney Spears asked a judge on Wednesday to end a court conservatorship that has controlled her life and money since 2008 - and her testimony was dramatic.

She told a court in Los Angeles that the conservatorship is “abusive,” and condemned her father and the others who have controlled it.

The conservatorship was put in place as she underwent a mental health crisis in 2008. She has credited it with saving her from financial ruin and keeping her a top flight pop star.

Her father and his attorneys have emphasized that she and her fortune, which court records put at more than $50 million, remain vulnerable to fraud and manipulation. Under the law, the burden would be on Spears to prove she is competent to be released and free to make her own choices.

Here are some of the jaw-dropping claims she made during the hearing - and how some fans reacted.

(The next hearing is likely to take place on July 14 – it was adjourned today due to the live tweeted comments from the trial. Given what we heard, we’re not surprised.)

She said the long-running legal arrangement is ruining her life

“This conservatorship is doing me way more harm than good,” she said. “I deserve to have a life. I’ve worked my whole life. I deserve to have a two to three-year break.”

She says she has an IUD that she cannot take out

Britney said she that the legal arrangement is preventing her from marrying boyfriend Sam Asghari and starting a family. She told the court it requires her to use a birth control device to prevent her getting pregnant.

She says she was forced to take lithium .

After rehearsals broke down for a planned Vegas residency in 2019, she said she was made to take lithium, a psychiatric medication.

The breakdown and subsequent cancellation came due to a dispute over a dance move, she said: “I’m not here to be anyone’s slave. I can say no to a dance move.”

She says she went to Alcoholics Anonymous meetings twice per week - but is no longer allowed to see the friends she made there

She was emotional, and swore at times

“I want to end this conservatorship without being evaluated,” Spears said in a long speech which was, at times, emotional and profane.

Britney said she wasn’t told she could apply to terminate her conservatorship by Samuel D Ingham III

She compared the life she’s endured for the past 13 years to being the victim of sex trafficking

She says she’s been the victim of bullying

She was very suspicious of ‘technical difficulties’ which disrupted the hearing

Following the testimony, Judge Brenda Penny praised her for speaking out and said: “I certainly am sensitive to everything you said and how you’re feeling and I know it took a lot of courage for you to say what you had to say.”

She said a decision on ending the conservatorship cannot be taken until a request is formally lodged with the court. Samuel Ingham, Spears’ lawyer, said he will discuss the next steps with the star.

Jamie Spears’ legal team also released a statement: “He is sorry to see his daughter suffering and in so much pain. Mr Spears loves his daughter and misses her very much.”

With agencies