Britney Spears’ brother Bryan has opened up about the star’s conservatorship in a rare interview.
The popstar has remained under conservatorship since her alleged breakdown in 2008, preventing her from legally controlling her life and assets.
Her 43-year-old brother admitted the situation has been “frustrating” and that his younger sister has “wanted to get out of it for quite some time.”
“She’s been in this thing for quite some time now. Obviously there was a need for it in the beginning,” Bryan told Drew Plotkin on the As NOT Seen on TV Podcast.
“Now they’ve made some changes and all we can do is hope for the best,” Bryan said, adding that the conservatorship has “been a great thing for our family, to this point.”
The conservatorship was previously controlled by their father Jamie, but he stepped down in September 2019 due to ongoing health issues, and was replaced by Britney’s longtime care manager Jodi Montgomery.
Speaking about their father, Bryan said: “[He did] the best he could given the situation he was put in.”
“We’ve had to work together as a family to keep it all going. One person might be on stage and doing this, but it’s a sacrifice from everybody. Everyone is putting in, to some degree, a little bit to keep everything going.”
Bryan admitted that Britney has always wanted to end the conservatorship and achieve independence.
“She’s always wanted to get out of it. It’s very frustrating to have,” he said.
“Whether someone’s coming in peace to help or coming in with an attitude, having someone constantly tell you to do something has got to be frustrating. She’s wanted to get out of it for quite some time.”
Bryan also addressed the #FreeBritney movement, as the singer’s fans are pushing to end her conservatorship – over concerns for her well-being.
“I don’t quite know what their meaning is,” Bryan said of the fan’s movement, “I don’t follow it that well. But I am aware that they feel like it’s, maybe she’s being confined or held against her will in some capacity, but I can’t really speak for them.”
During the interview, Bryan also raised questions about his sister living without the conservatorship.
“I know what she wants but at the end of the day, what is the reality of that? What is the practicality of that? So are you going to call and make reservations for yourself today?” he asked.
“I’m sure it’s going to be an adjustment. Let’s say it does get let go and she’s on her own — everyday task stuff is probably … it’s a great challenge, but it’s probably going to be. Like driving. She’s the worst driver in the world — I’m not lying. I mean bless her heart, she really is not a really good driver and she hasn’t had to do that,” Bryan said.
The news comes after Britney’s younger sister Jamie Lynn slammed an Instagram user earlier this week, after they asked her to address her sibling’s “obvious mental illness”.
Jamie Lynn responded: “You have no right to assume anything about my sister, and I have NO right to speak about HER health and personal matters. She is a strong, badass, unstoppable woman, and that’s the only thing that is OBVIOUS.”
The actress was also asked to speak about the trending #FreeBritney movement, and she replied: “I would never speak out just to clarify things to the public, when the person it pertains to does not want that to happen.”
“I’d rather take all the hate, then speak about someone elses [sic] personal matter, that they want to keep private.”
