Britney Spears, for years, has not just become a public icon but also a victim of public scrutiny. From a pop sensation to a subject of constant mockery, she’s lived a pretty tough life. And a recent documentary, “Framing Britney Spears,” shows the side of Spears we never knew existed.
The New York Times released a new documentary about Britney Spears on FX and Hulu on Friday. The documentary mostly deals with the pop star and her conservatorship with her father. But it also shines a light on all the past events of Britney’s life including her 2007 breakdown and her relationship with singer Justin Timberlake.
Thus, the release of “Framing Britney Spears” has once again shed light on the hashtag Free Britney movement that started circulating back In 2019.
What is the #FreeBritney Movement?
#FreeBritney movement started in 2019 after fans learned about her highly controversial conservatorship. Since 2008, Spears is in conservatorship with her father Jamie Spears.
It means that Jamie is the legal guardian of 39-year-old Britney. Hence, he looks over all of her finances and makes all the important decisions in her life.
The Britney Army, the name of the pop star’s die-hard fans started the #FreeBritney movement. It all began after Spears canceled her Las Vegas residency “Domination”. She stated her father’s colon rupture the reason for the cancellation.
However, her fans believe that she’s been micromanaged by her father and everyone involved in the conservatorship. And they think that Britney is in a court-sanctioned prison. They also think she sends cries for help through Instagram. Thus, the #FreeBritney began trending in hopes that she’s set free of the restrictions she faces in her everyday life.
Britney Spears has been a part of the music industry since 1997. Even though she started as a member of The Mickey Mouse Club, her debut single “Baby One More Time,” gave her her recognition. And in no time, she became a pop sensation.
However, over the years, her derailing personal life has affected her career big time. Despite releasing multiple successful albums and having a stable career, her mental health remains a big question mark.
The Documentary and How It’s Validating the Movement.
Britney Spears was the princess of pop from the moment she was in limelight. And as her popularity grew, so did the public interest in her personal life. She was merely a teenager when she began her music career. But she had to deal with things adults do from an early age.
Britney’s life, both professional and personal became a topic of interest, especially for tabloids. The paparazzi is, in part, responsible for Britney’s several public breakdowns and her degrading public image. The other part of it belongs to the people in her life, including her father.
The “Framing Britney Spears” documentary validates the need for the #FreeBritney movement. It also shows the side of Spears that we all knew was there but the media never manifested. The documentary gives an idea to the viewers about what went down during her much-exploited 2007 breakdown. It was probably the worst point in Britney’s life. She shaved her head, slammed a car’s window with an umbrella, etc.
It also highlights how Justin Timberlake garnered fame by throwing Britney under the bus for cheating. Along with that, it shows how she had to endure misogyny, societal pressure, scrutiny, sexism, and multiple tortures at such young age. And how the general public was brainwashed by the image they set of the pop princess.
