Inside Britney Spears' Turbulent Journey with Father Jamie Spears

Britney Spears and her father, Jamie Spears, have had a strained relationship for as long as the singer can remember. While Britney and her mother, Lynne Spears, maintained a close bond during her childhood in Louisiana, Jamie went through a series of personal challenges.

After Britney rose to fame in 1998, her parents' marriage started to deteriorate. They officially divorced in May 2002, which Britney later considered as "the greatest blessing for my family."

Despite the split, Jamie continued to be a presence in Britney's life. In February 2008, he took on a crucial responsibility when he assumed control over his famous daughter's personal matters and financial assets in the midst of her highly publicized emotional breakdown.

Britney and Jamie's rollercoaster journey over the years can be revisited below:

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Britney Spears’ Ups and Downs With Dad Jamie Spears Over the Years

Britney Spears’ and her father, Jamie Spears, have been at odds throughout the singer’s life.

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During Britney's childhood, she shared a close bond with her mother, Lynne Spears, who accompanied her to auditions and performances in their home state of Louisiana. Meanwhile, Jamie, her father, went through a challenging period in his personal life.

Once Britney's career soared in 1998, her parents' marriage underwent a significant downturn. Eventually, they divorced in May 2002, an event which Britney later regarded as "the greatest positive change for my family."

Jamie continued to be a presence in Britney's life even after his separation from Lynne. In February 2008, he assumed a crucial role by gaining control over his renowned daughter's personal matters and assets during her widely-publicized breakdown.

Initially seeking a temporary conservatorship, Jamie's request was eventually granted permanent status in October 2008. This conservatorship remained in effect for nearly 13 years until it finally concluded in November 2021. Since its termination, Britney has publicly criticized her father and his handling of her conservatorship.

Scroll down to revisit Britney and Jamie’s ups and downs over the years:

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Jamie's Alcoholism

Lynne stated in her book Through the Storm that Jamie’s casual consumption of beer gradually escalated into heavy drinking after their son Bryan was born in April 1977. She described how each alcohol-fueled incident gradually unraveled their once perfect life, causing the knot of their vows and love to loosen, painfully thread by thread. Eventually, prompted by Britney's encouragement, Jamie sought help and entered rehab in 2004.

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Jamie's Absence

Lynne and her longtime friend Felicia Culotta alternated accompanying Britney on her travels in the late '90s, following her signing with Jive Records. However, Britney's presence was noticeably lacking from Jamie's interactions during this time. In the "Framing Britney Spears" episode of The New York Times Presents in February 2021, Nancy Carson, Britney's agent at the time, mentioned, "Jamie visited occasionally and hoped that this investment would pay off, justifying the expenses." On the other hand, Kim Kaiman, a former Jive executive, revealed in the documentary, "Britney's mother would go to any lengths, personally and for the sake of the family, to ensure Britney became a star. I never had any conversations with her father; the only words Jamie ever expressed to me were, 'My daughter will become so wealthy that she will purchase me a boat.'"

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Britney's 'For the Record' Documentary

Jamie remained by Britney's side throughout her 2008 MTV documentary, Britney: For the Record. This documentary focused on her comeback after facing personal setbacks for several months. One particularly memorable scene showcased the patriarch preparing his daughter's favorite comfort food. As the camera rolled, he shared, "Grits is an age-old Southern tradition. She has been enjoying them since birth. While everyone else may have Wheaties, cheese grits are the breakfast of champions for Southern girls."

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Jamie's Protection

In the summer of 2014, the ex-gym owner acquired a video depicting Britney’s then-partner, David Lucado, engaging in an intimate encounter and dancing with an unidentified woman, with the intention of preventing its online leakage and sparing his daughter from humiliation. Consequently, Britney terminated her relationship with Lucado shortly thereafter.

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Jamie's Support

Jamie attended several of the pop star’s concerts during her Las Vegas residency, Britney: Piece of Me, which ran from December 2013 to December 2017.

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Britney's Support

Britney: Domination, the planned second Vegas residency of the former Mouseketeer, was canceled in January 2019 due to her dad's hospitalization for a ruptured colon. In an Instagram post, she expressed gratitude for her father's survival but acknowledged that he still has a challenging journey ahead. Recognizing the importance of her family, she made the difficult decision to prioritize their well-being during this time.

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Jamie's Alleged Abuse

In September 2019, multiple sources informed Us that police had been called to Jamie's California condo the previous month after an argument between him and his grandson Sean Preston, during which he allegedly "shook" the then-13-year-old. Following the incident, Britney's ex-husband Kevin Federline obtained a restraining order against Jamie, preventing him from being near Preston or their youngest son, Jayden. Despite the Ventura County District Attorney's Office's decision not to pursue child abuse charges against Jamie, the incident caused a rift between Britney and her father and resulted in changes to Federline's custody arrangement with Britney. In December 2020, a source exclusively told Us that "the incident with Jamie and Preston changed everything."

In her 2023 memoir, Britney disclosed details about the incident involving her son and father. She revealed that Jamie had "broken down the door" of a bedroom before shaking him. Although Federline obtained a restraining order, Jamie was never formally charged with a crime.

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Family Quarantine

Jamie’s lawyer, Vivian Thoreen, confirmed the news half a year later on Good Morning America. She mentioned that during the early stages of the pandemic, Jamie and Britney quarantined with other relatives in Louisiana for a two-week period. They utilized this time to bond by going on lengthy drives, tending to the family garden, and indulging in the Southern comfort food that Jamie cooked for them every night. The entire family cherished these moments together.

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Britney and Jamie's Court Battle

During her break from the public eye, Britney took a deeper involvement in her conservatorship. In August 2020, she submitted legal documents expressing her strong opposition to Jamie remaining as the conservator of both her person and estate. Instead, she requested Montgomery, who had temporarily taken over from Jamie due to his health scare in November 2019, to permanently handle her personal matters. Furthermore, Britney asked for a "qualified corporate fiduciary" to assume control over her finances. Despite his daughter's pleas, Jamie has persisted in his fight to retain his position on the case.

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Britney's Hiatus

The entertainer’s lawyer stated in a court hearing held in November 2020 that Britney had expressed her fear towards her father and her refusal to continue performing as long as he remained in control of her career. Jamie's attorney disputed this allegation. After the hearing, the judge ruled against removing Jamie as conservator but granted Bessemer Trust the authorization to co-manage Britney’s estate alongside him.

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Jamie's Heartache

The relationship between the former building contractor and Britney has been strained since August, as she expressed her opposition to his involvement. In an interview with CNN in December 2020, he admitted that their terms weren't favorable. Despite this, he emphasized his love for his daughter and his longing to be reunited with her. Taking her special needs into consideration, he highlighted the responsibility of families to be supportive and protective. For over 12 years, he has been dedicated to safeguarding, cherishing, and providing unwavering love for Britney. He remains steadfast in defending her against those with ulterior motives and any potential threats to her or their family.

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Britney's Boyfriend's Statement

Asghari, who has been in a relationship with the "Lucky" singer since late 2016, publicly criticized Jamie in February 2021. Taking to his Instagram Stories, he expressed his frustration, stating, "I have zero respect for someone attempting to manipulate our relationship and consistently placing obstacles in our path. In my opinion, Jamie is a complete jerk." The personal trainer later mentioned in an interview with TMZ, "Once [Jamie] starts treating his daughter right, then we can establish a cordial relationship."

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Britney Speaks

The Grammy winner made her first disclosure about her father's involvement in her conservatorship battle during a court hearing in June 2021. "I long for this to come to an end," Britney expressed to the judge overseeing the hearing, which she participated in virtually. "I've deceived and convinced the entire world that I'm fine and happy. I thought that if I repeated it enough, maybe I would actually become happy... I'm in disbelief. I'm traumatized... I'm furious to the point of madness." Britney labeled her conservatorship as "abusive" and confessed to feeling "enslaved" by her father during his tenure as her conservator. "He relished the control he had over me, without a doubt," the singer alleged. She went on, "All I want is my life back. It has been 13 years, and it's more than enough. It's senseless... I'm through. To be completely honest, I want to take legal action against my family... Ma'am, I am not here to serve as anyone's slave."

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Officially Filing

In July 2021, it was confirmed that Britney and her new lawyer, Matt Rosengart, had filed documents to permanently remove Jamie from her conservatorship team. Lynne, Britney's mother, expressed her support for this action through a passionate statement, criticizing Jamie's inappropriate treatment of their daughter.

According to Lynne, the conservatee's relationship with Mr. Spears has deteriorated to a point where there is only fear and hatred towards him. This is a result of Mr. Spears' control over Britney, his lack of trust in her, his manipulation, his manipulation of rewards and punishments based on her compliance, his constant threats, and his authority over all aspects of her life.

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One Step Closer

In August 2021, Jamie submitted legal filings stating his consent to relinquish his role as the conservator of Britney's estate, following her impactful court hearing two months prior. The documents explicitly asserted that despite any official designation, Mr. Spears would forever remain Britney Spears' father, harboring unwavering love for her and perpetually prioritizing her welfare.

At the time, the attorney for the pop star issued a statement stating, "We are satisfied, although not entirely taken aback, that Mr. Spears and his legal representative have ultimately acknowledged the necessity of his removal. Nevertheless, we are disheartened by their continual disgraceful and condemnable assaults on Ms. Spears and others."

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Standing Her Ground

Britney's attorney filed an additional petition on August 30 as a response to Jamie's agreement to step down after resolving certain matters. According to Rosengart, Jamie is seeking additional funds, specifically $1,356,293 for his attorney fees and a $500,000 payment to Tri-Star Sports & Entertainment Group, in order to relinquish his role.

In the legal documents, Rosengart stated, "The current situation is no longer acceptable, and Britney Spears will not be subjected to extortion." He further added, "Mr. Spears's obvious attempt to negotiate his suspension and removal in exchange for approximately $2 million in payments, in addition to the substantial amount already obtained from Ms. Spears's estate by Mr. Spears and his associates, is not acceptable."

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Jamie Is Out

During a hearing in September 2021, Jamie's role as conservator for his daughter's estate was suspended with immediate effect. John Zabel was appointed as Britney's temporary conservator until December 31, 2021. The judge also ordered both legal teams to reconvene in court within 30 to 45 days to discuss the possibility of terminating the conservatorship completely.

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Mixed Blessing

Following the official suspension of her father as her conservator, Britney took to Instagram to express her thoughts regarding the situation. In October 2021, she stated, "Despite having reasons to celebrate and experience changes in my life, I still have a significant amount of healing to undertake!!!." Furthermore, she mentioned, "Fortunately, I possess a strong support system and am allowing myself the time to comprehend the significance of taking a step back and embracing moments of relaxation and tranquility ‍️!!!!! It is only by practicing self-love that I can offer prayers, love, and support to others in return!!!!."

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Conservatorship Over

During a court hearing in November 2021, a judge made the decision to terminate Britney's conservatorship. Her attorney confidently stated, "The record is clear, the time is clear. The time has come today to end the conservatorship." The lawyer also mentioned that despite their disputes with Mr. Spears' counsel, they agreed with a report from October 2021 that recommended an immediate termination of the conservatorship.

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Prepping for the Wedding

According to a source who spoke exclusively to Us in December 2021, Britney is eagerly anticipating her wedding and the beginning of a new chapter in her life. However, her current wedding plans do not involve inviting her family. The source revealed that as of now, none of her family members are on the guest list for the wedding.

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The Fight Continues

Despite her release from the conservatorship in late 2021, Britney's legal battle with her father continues. In January 2022, Jamie's attorney contacted the singer's lawyer via email, seeking a suitable date for Britney to participate in a deposition concerning the allegations she had made about her conservatorship.

"We suggest scheduling these depositions for early March, either on consecutive days or at least within the same week," mentioned the note. It further requested that Jamie's deposition be conducted first. "To prevent any complications or conflicts, we propose formalizing the schedule through a stipulation and Court order to ensure that we are all legally obligated to attend the depositions as per the notice."

Britney's team must provide a response by February 4, 2022, as per the given deadline.

Credit: Courtesy of Britney Spears/Instagram

A Fearful Family

"This is the day I came to the realization that my mother should have put some fear into my father's life! Or maybe she should have at least made an effort to care!" Britney expressed on Instagram in March 2022. She accompanied her statement with a screenshot of a child's purported homework, where the child referred to their dad as a hero who is apprehensive of their mom.

The singer expressed in her post: "PS I have taken inspiration from her ... I DON'T KNOW ‍️‍️‍️‍️ that way YOU'RE SWEET ..... DADDY'S NEVER SCARED, RIGHT MOM ???? PS when mothers imitate their daughters lol ... Wow, throughout my entire life ... if you gaze upwards, you'll see a CHILD WROTE THIS ... ONLY THE CHILD KNOWS!!!! PS and the child's words should be cherished!!!!"

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Absent From Britney's Wedding

Us confirmed in June 2022 that Jamie was absent from his eldest daughter’s nuptials to Sam Asghari.

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Was Britney's Conservatorship 'Pre-Meditated' by Her Parents?

In a YouTube video shared in August, lasting 22 minutes, Britney stated that her parents were responsible for arranging her 13-year conservatorship. The singer alleged that her father was approached with the idea and her mother assisted in making it a reality. In the video, which has since been deleted, Britney recounted an incident where she was filmed by over 200 paparazzi outside her house while being restrained on a gurney in an ambulance. She claimed that Jamie and Lynne were behind the orchestrated situation.

“It was completely prearranged. There were no traces of drugs or alcohol in my system. Absolutely nothing. It was genuine mistreatment,” Britney claimed. “And I haven’t even disclosed a mere fraction of it.”

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Reflecting on the Pain

In a Twitter video shared in October 2022, Britney recounted the alleged abuse she endured during the period her father controlled her conservatorship. According to Britney, she had to undergo three MRIs before being admitted to a mental health facility in 2019. She expressed confusion over the whole process, including the isolation, interaction with nurses, blood sample collection, and constant communication. At the time, she believed she might be receiving treatment for cancer, which turned out to be false. Reflecting on her experience, Britney admitted she now feels fine and alive, but she vividly remembers the fear of being under her father's control for all those years. She claimed that the most challenging part was realizing the cruelty she faced and feeling like her own father wanted her dead. In a passionate plea for justice, Britney shared the audio message to shed light on the mistreatment she endured throughout her conservatorship. Her caption emphasized the need for justice and highlighted her 15-year journey of secretive and manipulative abuse. Britney insisted that simply ending the conservatorship was not enough; she was subjected to abusive treatment and punishment.

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Jamie on Britney’s Conservatorship

The Louisiana native standed by his choice to maintain a lengthy conservatorship for his daughter in December 2022.

"I understand that not everyone will see it my way. It has been a challenging journey," he expressed to the Daily Mail. "However, my love for my daughter is unwavering. Without this conservatorship, I worry about where Britney would be today, and I cannot say for certain that she would be alive. For the sake of her wellbeing and the protection of her two teenage sons, the conservatorship has proven to be an invaluable measure."

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Britney’s Bombshell Memoir Claims

In her revealing memoir entitled The Woman in Me, Britney divulged details about her upbringing, asserting that her father struggled with frequent and drastic changes in his temperament, which she attributed to his purported battle with alcoholism and financial troubles within their household. The singer also recollected witnessing heated conflicts between her parents, ultimately leading to their separation.

Jamie being appointed as Britney's conservator led her to reflect on her life under her father's control. This reflection included the realization that her dad oversaw her work schedule, dating life, social life, finances, medication, and diet.

"In my previous life, I enjoyed the freedom to make my own decisions, set my own agenda, and wake up each morning with the ability to choose how I spent my day. Even on the tough days, they were my own battles to face. However, in my new life, I surrendered that fight and every morning I would wake up with one question in my mind: 'What are we doing?' And then, I would simply obey and do as I was told," Britney conveyed in her words.