Britney Spears' boyfriend Sam Asghari wears a 'Free Britney' T-shirt ahead of conservatorship court battle... after calling her father Jamie a 'total d***'
Britney Spears' boyfriend posed in a 'Free Britney' T-shirt on Instagram Wednesday, as the pop singer is expected to appear in court virtually amid her conservatorship battle with father Jamie Spears.
Support: Sam Asghari wore a 'Free Britney' T-shirt on Wednesday
Sam, 27, a personal trainer and actor, has previously voiced his aggression against Britney's father, saying in February this year: 'In my opinion, Jamie is a total d**k.'
He posted his thoughts on Instagram at the time, adding: 'I have zero respect for someone trying to control our relationship and constantly throwing obstacles our way.'
The #FreeBritney campaign is a grassroots movement started by fans of the singer, who feel that her 13-year-long conservatorship battle should now come to an end - and that Britney should regain autonomy over her life and affairs.
Sam's social media post is significant, as he is understood to be one of the only people outside of her family that is still close to Britney.
Yesterday, newly unearthed records revealed how Britney told a court investigator in 2016 that her father had 'too much' control over her estate and was 'oppressing' her, newly unearthed records reveal.
The documents were obtained by The New York Times ahead of Spears' hearing in court in L.A. on Wednesday where she will fight her father Jamie's control over her $60million fortune.
Support: Sam's social media post is significant, as he is understood to be one of the only people outside of her family that is close to Britney (he appears regularly on her Instagram)
Spears has been without control of her business or finances since her father obtained the conservatorship in the wake of her mental health struggles in 2008.
He says it is a smooth-running arrangement that allows him to protect her and that she can take control at any time.
Wednesday will be the first time Britney, now 39, addresses the court.
In the papers obtained by the Times ahead of that appearance, a court investigator wrote in a 2016 report that Britney told them the people involved in the conservatorship - her father and a lawyer - tried to intervene on who she dated and what color she painted her kitchen cabinets.
Free Britney: Spears fans protest outside a conservatorship court hearing at Los Angeles Superior Court in March this year
She complained that her father drinks too much and that it can impact his judgement too.
In a 2016 report, a court investigator who had spoken to Britney wrote: 'She articulated she feels the conservatorship has become an oppressive and controlling tool against her.
'She is "sick of being taken advantage of" and she said she is the one working and earning her money but everyone around her is on her payroll,' the investigator wrote.
Control: Jamie Spears (pictured, 2012) has been in charge of Britney's affairs since 2008
She also said her father was 'obsessed' with her to the point that he had to approve who she became friends with.
Despite her complaints, the court investigator ruled that the conservatorship should remain in place.
The records say that Jamie, a recovering alcoholic, drank and was abusive not long after taking control of the conservatorship.
Britney's Circus tour in 2009 was supposed to not involve any alcohol for her benefit but, according to the testimony of a housekeeper, he was guilty of ;verbal abuse, tirades, inappropriate behavior and alcoholic relapses'.
During the conversation, Britney allegedly told the investigator she wanted the conservatorship terminated 'as soon as possible' and was 'sick of being taken advantage of.'
The investigator added: 'She is the one working and earning her money but everyone around her is on her payroll.'
Jamie, 68, was appointed as Britney's conservator in 2008, after she was admitted into involuntary psychiatric care twice, as concerns grew over her mental health and substance abuse.
Tomorrow, Britney will virtually address the Los Angeles County Superior Court and Judge Brenda Penny about her desire to have her father Jamie removed as her sole conservator.
Way back when : Jamie was appointed as his daughter's conservator in 2008 following her very public mental and emotional breakdown (seen in 2002)
In a press release, the court confirmed that for the hearing on June 23rd 'all parties, including Ms. Spears, are scheduled to appear remotely'.
It is not expected that Britney will ask to end her long running conservatorship at the hearing.
Rather, she will request that the judge permanently remove her father Jamie from being in control of her estate.
Britney has appeared to be in favor of the temporary conservator currently in place, Jodi Montgomery, who stepped in back when her father fell ill.
In court documents, the A-lister's lawyers have explained that their client would like Montgomery to be permanently put in place in lieu of her dad Jamie.
Britney Spears' controversial conservatorship explained
Pop star Britney Spears has been under a court-appointed conservatorship, or guardianship, since 2008. On Wednesday, she is due to make a personal address to the Los Angeles judge who is handling the conservatorship.
WHAT IS A CONSERVATORSHIP?
A court-approved arrangement in which a person or organization is chosen to protect and manage the personal care and/or finances of a person whom a judge has found to be unable to manage his or her own affairs.
IN WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES IS A CONSERVATORSHIP APPROVED BY THE COURTS?
When someone needs help taking care of his or her daily needs, managing their finances, or gives away large sums of money to strangers. Many are elderly people, or developmentally disabled, or people with temporary or permanent mental or physical disabilities. Details about the personal health of the conservatee is not made public. A court-appointed investigator is required to make a personal visit and submit a status report about the conservatorship every two years.
WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF A CONSERVATOR?
A conservator can be a relative, friend or professional entity. Duties include deciding where the conservatee will live, making arrangements for their health care, housekeeping, transportation, managing finances, paying taxes and bills, making investments, protecting assets, accounting to the court for management of finances and reporting to the court on the status of the conservatee. Any changes require court approval.
WHO ARE THE CONSERVATORS IN THE BRITNEY SPEARS CASE?
The singer's father Jamie is a joint conservator of her personal affairs with care manager Jodi Montgomery. Jamie Spears is also a joint conservator of her financial affairs with financial firm Bessemer Trust. Spears has an attorney to represent her. In 2020, Spears began her attempts to remove Jamie Spears as her personal conservator.
HOW MUCH FREEDOM DOES A PERSON UNDER A CONSERVATORSHP HAVE?
Restrictions are determined by the court depending on individual circumstances. Since 2008, Spears has performed multiple concerts, been on several tours, recorded several albums, goes shopping, posts frequently to her Instagram account, has a boyfriend, gets an allowance and has gone on vacation.
HOW CAN A CONSERVATORSHIP BE BROUGHT TO AN END?
The conservatee, or a relative or friend, can ask the judge at any time to end the conservatorship. A court appointed investigator would evaluate the case and hear from all sides. The conservatee must prove they can handle their own personal and financial affairs. The judge would make a decision. Spears has not made such a request. The court can remove a conservator who is failing to perform their duties and appoint a new one.
WHY HAS THE BRITNEY SPEARS CASE ATTRACTED SO MUCH ATTENTION?
It is unusual for someone of Spears' age and high profile to have been under such an arrangement for 13 years. Details of her mental health issues have never been revealed. The fan-based #FreeBritney movement, started in 2019, believes Spears is being held against her will and that she is sending cryptic messages through her Instagram postings. The 2021 TV documentary "Framing Britney Spears" brought wider attention to the case.
WHAT IS BRITNEY SPEARS EXPECTED TO SAY ON WEDNESDAY?
Neither Spears nor any of the attorneys in the case have said what the singer plans to speak about. She is not expected to attend the Los Angeles court in person but to speak via audio and/or video link. The last time she spoke to the judge, in May 2019, the hearing was closed to the public and her testimony was sealed.