Cries of BRITNEY’S FREE! rang out around the internet last week, as the singer’s controversial conservatorship finally ended. And, as the world rejoiced in Britney’s newfound freedom after 13 long years, the star was busy making plans. Big plans.
heat can reveal Britney’s already mapping out her happily ever after, starting with a low-key party for her 40th birthday next week, followed by marrying her long-term boyfriend, Sam Asghari, and – the big one – finally having the baby girl she’s always dreamed of and being a proper mum.
“Britney’s on top of the world,” says an insider close to the superstar, who has been under the control of a strict conservatorship – which saw her every decision and move decided by her father, Jamie Spears – since 2008. “Everything is a joy, even being able to drive her own car whenever she wants! The other night, Brit and Sam were able to go out for dinner without having to get special permission – and there was no spending limit! Britney loved it and will be going out a lot more now that she’s free. She can’t wait to see some old friends, treat herself to evenings out with Sam, catch a movie with her boys – all those basic things she wasn’t allowed to do for so long.”
Britney – who last week described her conservatorship as “demoralising and degrading” – opened up on Instagram about her newfound freedom. In a heartfelt video, she told followers, “I’m just grateful, honestly, for each day and being able to have the keys to my car, and being able to be independent and owning an ATM card.
“Seeing cash for the first time, being able to buy candles. It makes a huge difference and I’m grateful.” Britney also revealed she is planning a tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey, adding, “I do know how embarrassing it is to share the fact I’ve never seen cash or wasn’t able to drive my car.” And after enjoying the small things, Britney wants to celebrate a big thing – her 40th birthday.
“Sam is sorting a classy evening for her,” says heat’s source. “There will be a small gathering at home and a night on the town. There will be a handful of friends there who’ve stood by them and quietly helped out, including Sam’s sisters and friends. For her birthday itself, they’re hoping to get away for a long weekend tropical vacay.”
Tropical birthday done, friends say there’s only one thing on the agenda for Britney and Sam: a baby. “Their top priority is trying to get pregnant as soon as possible,” says an insider close to the couple, who have been together since meeting on the set of
Check out: artists who started their careers on TV talent shows
Artists who started life on TV talent shows - SLIDER
1 of 16Girls Aloud
Girls Aloud were first created when they appeared on Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. With Cheryl Tweedy, Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle all winning a place in the band, the group went on to achieve their debut number one with the track 'Sound Of The Underground'. Girls Aloud went on to achieve massive success in the UK and scored a record 20 consecutive top 10 singles in the UK Charts. In 2013 the band announced their split after their final UK tour.
2 of 16Carly Rae Jepsen
Carly Rae Jepsen enjoyed massive success with her hit single 'Call Me Maybe' in 2012 but before that she came third on Canadian Idol. After getting her break with 'Call Me Maybe', Carly went on to have hits such as 'I Really Like You' and 'Run Away With Me'.
3 of 16Beyoncé
She's one of the world's biggest superstars but Beyonce first found fame on TV show Star Search back in 1993. Beyonce enjoyed massive success alongside Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams in girl band Destiny's Child but made a name for herself with her massive solo singles. The singer is currently on her 'On The Run II' tour with her husband Jay-Z and the pair recently dropped their surprise new album 'Everything Is Love'.
4 of 16Britney Spears
Britney appeared on Star Search at the age of just 11!She went on to release her first two albums in 1999 and 2000 which turned out to be international successes. After a hiatus away from music due to personal issues, Britney returned with a bang with hits such as 'Womanizer', 'Piece Of Me' and 'If You Seek Amy'. Britney now has a Las Vegas residency for her 'Piece Of Me' show Planet Hollywood.
5 of 16Adam Lambert
Adam Lambert shot to fame when he finished in second place on American Idol back in 2009. The singer went on to release his debut album 'For You Entertainment' and has since sold over 5 million records to date. In the past few years Adam has been touring as the lead vocalist with rock band Queen.
6 of 16Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera appeared on Star Search as a youngster back in 1990. It wasn't until 1999 when the singer really made waves in the music industry with hits including 'Genie In The Bottle' and 'What A Girl Wants'. Throughout the noughties Christina had some massive hits such as 'Dirrty', 'Beautiful' and 'Hurt' and later went on to star in a number of movies such as Burlesque. The singer now has five Grammy Awards, has sold over 50 million albums worldwide and appears on The Voice as a mentor.
7 of 16Fifth Harmony
American girl band Fifth Harmony started their success when they finished third on The X Factor USA back in 2012. The band signed to Syco Records and enjoyed a number of hits both in the UK and USA including 'Work From Home' and 'Worth It'. In 2017 Camilla Cabello announced she had left the band to focus on her solo caree, and in March 2018 the group revealed they were going on a hiatus.
8 of 16Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks became American Idol's youngest ever winner when she won over competition at the age of just 17 in 2006. The singer has since enjoyed massive success with her hits including 'Tattoo', 'Battlefield' and her 'No Air' debut with Chris Brown.
9 of 16Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson shot to fame in 2002 when she became the first winner of American Idol. Kelly has now released seven albums to date including the likes of 'Breakaway', 'Stronger' and her 2015 album 'Piece By Piece'.
10 of 16Jennifer Hudson
Despite her amazing success, Jennifer unbelievably only finished 7th on American Idol back in 2004. She's since went on to appear in hit movie Dreamgirls, released three studio albums and became a mentor on TV show The Voice UK.
11 of 16Justin Timberlake
Mr Timberlake appeared on TV show Star Search in 1992 singing a country song in his audition.He's come a long way since then! In the late 1990s Justin became one of the lead vocalists in boyband NSYNC.He then went solo and achieved massive success with hits such as 'Cry Me A River', 'Rock Your Body' and 'Sexy Back'. In 2016 Justin voiced a character for hit film Trolls and is set to return for the sequel in 2021. The singer also released his amazing new music in early 2018.
12 of 16Leona Lewis
Leona Lewis won a £1 million recording contract with Simon Cowell when she won the third series of The X Factor in 2006. Leona went on to have five successful albums and has completed three tours to date. In 2016 Leona made her Broadway debut as Grizabella in Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Cats.
13 of 16Nicole Scherzinger
She enjoyed massive success in The Pussycat Dolls but before that Nicole Scherzinger appeared on Popstars in 2001. It was her time in girl band The Pussycat Dolls which really started her success. The band became one of the world's biggest selling girl bands with hits such as 'Don't Cha' and 'Jai Ho'. Nicole later left the band and has enjoyed a solo career. The singer is also a judge on The X Factor, although rumours are suggesting she won't be returning for the 2018 series.
14 of 16One Direction
They are one of the biggest bands in the world but we wouldn't have One Direction if it wasn't thanks to The X Factor. Harry, Louis, Niall, Liam and Zayn all auditioned for the show as solo artists but were later put together in a group. Despite finishing third in 2010, the band went on to achieve massive success. They went on to have five albums, four world tours and sold millions of records with hits such as 'Best Song Ever' and 'What Makes You Beautiful'. After Zayn Malik announced his departure, the band started their hiatus in January 2016 and have all gone on to release solo material.
15 of 16Little Mix
Little Mix made history in 2011 when they became the first ever band to win The X Factor. Perrie, Jesy, Jade and Leigh-Anne released the track 'Cannonball' as their winners' single before going on to have hits such as 'Wings', 'No More Sad Songs' and 'Power'.After a number of massive sell-out tours, the band are currently working on their fifth studio album and have just finished their 'Summer Hits Tour' in the UK.
16 of 16Susan Boyle
Susan Boyle first shot to fame when she appeared on Britain's Got Talent in 2009. After shocking audiences and the judging panel with her incredible rendition of 'I Dreamed A Dream', Susan went on to finish in second place behind Diversity. This was just the start for the Scottish singer as she went on to achieve massive success, selling millions of records worldwide.
The happy news follows years of heartache for our Brit, who suffered a breakdown in 2008 and was hospitalised twice.
She was then placed under the now-infamous conservatorship, which saw Britney forced to work and put on lithium against her will. She lost custody of her two sons, Sean, 16, and Jayden, 15, to her ex-husband Kevin Federline, and was kept on birth control, despite wanting more children. Now, friends say Britney feels she has the chance to make up for all the lost years of being a mum.
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We’re told, “The boys were so young when they were taken away from her. She feels like she missed out on their childhoods and raising them the way she wants. Now she has her freedom, she wants to spend a lot more time co-raising her boys with Kevin, but this is also her chance to be present in a new baby’s childhood. This is her second chance at motherhood and she won’t let anyone take this baby from her.”
Britney – who got engaged to Sam in September – also has a wedding to plan. “She’s got no issue walking down the aisle with a baby bump,” says heat’s insider.
“She doesn’t want to wait and the wedding date is tentatively lined up for spring or early summer. But it’s quite possible they’ll elope before then. Brit’s so in love with Sam, she would’ve married him two years ago if her dad wasn’t standing in the way.
“Now she’s working with a wedding planner and it seems like Hawaii is the most likely destination for the big day. It’s their special romantic spot and Brit always says she feels energised and free there. It will be a small ceremony with just their loved ones, including Sean and Jayden, who are totally on board with all of this. They get along great with Sam and are all for her getting re-married and having more kids.
“They’re just so happy their mom is finally free. Everyone’s rooting for Britney to get everything she deserves. This time last year, she never would’ve thought any of this would be possible, but now she’s got her life back, she doesn’t want to waste a second. Being a mum is the best thing that ever happened to her and is now her top priority.”
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine - OUT NOW.