Since it hit the headlines again last year, many people have expressed their thoughts and feelings about Britney Spears’ infamous conservatorship – and it seems everyone has an opinion. But there is one person who’s remained deafeningly silent: the singer herself. Over the past 13 years, Britney hasn’t had any control whatsoever over her personal and professional life, following her highly publicised breakdown in 2008. And along the way, she’s also lost her voice, instead having her wishes and requests expressed by her legal team, while fans have tried to decipher “hidden” messages in her Instagram posts.
But last week, the 39 year old took a mighty step towards reclaiming some independence, after her lawyer Samuel Ingham told a court, “Britney wants to address the court directly.” Judge Brenda Penny then scheduled a hearing for 23 June, which will allow the singer to finally speak about the status of her conservatorship.
As heat has told you, Britney has recently been more hopeful than ever that she’ll finally gain some more freedom, following the recent renewed wave of interest into her life. Earlier this year, the explosive documentary Framing Britney Spears contained some eye-opening revelations about the legal arrangement. Her father Jamie has been in charge of her estate since 2008, despite Britney repeatedly asking a court to appoint someone else, and even refusing to work until her dad relinquished control over her career.
CHECK OUT artists who started life 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.
In December, a judge appointed a financial company as co-conservators, and also put Britney’s preferred choice – care professional Jodi Montgomery – in charge of her daily activities. But Jamie still has a hand in her finances and insiders say Britney wants him fully cut out.
The powerful documentary sparked worldwide frenzy, with celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker and Bette Midler posting the #FreeBritney hashtag – as fans raised their voices and called for her “release”. At the same time, Sam Asghari, Brit’s boyfriend of five years, slammed Jamie, calling him a “total dick” who was trying to control their relationship.
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This week sees another shocking documentary. The Britney Battle: Searching For Truth (airing Wednesday 5 May on BBC2) is again putting the spotlight on her complicated situation, with reporter Mobeen Ashar looking into the conservatorship and #FreeBritney movement.
But despite all the vocal interest in Britney’s situation, she’s never had the chance to comment on it herself – the closest she got was an Instagram post in February, when she told fans, “Remember, no matter what we think we know about a person’s life, it is nothing compared to the actual person living behind the lens.” Now, the world is anxiously waiting for 23 June, when Britney will at last have the chance to speak her truth.
Read more in the latest issue of heat magazine – OUT NOW.