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BRITNEY IS FINALLY FREE!!!! The words “Free Britney” have been hanging off the lips of Britney Spears fans for over a decade now. And finally on November 12th – those words were made true as the conservatorship that has been hanging over the troubled singer was finally lifted by the LA Courts. Her father, 69-year-old Jamie Spears, no longer controls her assets, her fortune, her medication and ultimately her decision making. An embittered and freshly freed Britney, aged 39, said her family and those involved in the conservatorship “should all be in jail“ following the ruling. “Honestly, it still blows my mind every day I wake up how my family and the conservatorship were able to do what they did to me,” she wrote on Instagram, “It was demoralising and degrading!” The legal decision-making process has been long and drawn out and Britney had to testify in order to get the 13-year conservatorship lifted. For many years it was not even negated in court. Britney’s troubles all began back in 2007 when she split from her ex Kevin Federline and famously shaved off her hair, attacked a paparazzi, admitted to excessive drinking and
had a very public meltdown; being taken to hospital one night from her LA home in full view of the awaiting 150-strong paparazzi and news crews. However, less than a year later the ‘Toxic’ singer got her life back on track, stopped drinking and socialising and seemed perfectly normal releasing her fourth album ‘Circus’ to worldwide critical acclaim. Despite this, behind the scenes, a plethora of her father’s legal team were plotting to enter her into a draconian conservatorship whereby she would no longer legally have control over her life because of her “meltdown” a year prior to this and “deeming her not fit to make decisions.” This was made legal in the State of California in 2008 under the aforementioned conservatorship laws and Britney lost control of her life and fortune. The $60 million plus fortune she had amassed since her 2002 career took off was taken out of her control instantly and according to reports hefty pay checks were given to those “caring for her” or part of Jamie Spears team. Since the legal battle was conceded on the 12th November, Britney is said to be taking charge of her life and has already started making plans to re-enter the world of film and music.
CELEBS HIGHLIGHT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE A host of celebrities including Annie Lennox, Donna Air and Sadie Frost are backing a one-off play highlighting domestic abuse. The play called ‘Punched’ showcases powerful stories of survivors from around the globe. Actress Sadie said: “It is crucial to raise awareness regarding the rising levels of domestic abuse.” The show features actresses including former ‘EastEnders’ star Tracy-Ann Oberman and ex-‘Casualty’ actor Priyanga Burford. Eurythmics star Annie said one in three women face physical or sexual violence in their lifetime according to World Health Organisation figures and it has got to stop. The opening night is on December 6th at The Criterion Theatre in London.
14 SURREYROCKS | ISSUE 04
