Search

A chilling follow-up to the hit film

When it premiered in February, director Samantha Stark’s heartbreaking documentary film Framing Britney Spears made us question our perceptions of Y2K’s defining pop star, a woman who was often cruelly and misogynistically reduced to a punchline. Above all, it focused greater scrutiny on the murky conservatorship arrangement that has denied Spears agency over her personal affairs since 2008. As its title suggests, Stark’s follow-up film drills down into how Spears was allegedly controlled while she remained – as she once sang – “an exceptional earner”. The singer’s 248-date Las Vegas residency grossed close to $138 million before it wrapped in December 2019.

The film’s grim revelations – from people once close to the singer – have already made headlines. According to Latisha Yates, her former head of wardrobe, Spears was told she wasn’t allowed to order sushi for a second night in a row because it was “too expensive”. On another occasion, Yates claims she put through a pair of Skechers sneakers as a wardrobe expense because Spears “didn’t have the money” for shoes that would presumably have retailed for around £50. Allegations made by Alex Vlasov, a former employee of Black Box Security, the company reportedly hired by Spears’ father Jamie to protect the singer, are even more abhorrent. According to Vlasov, the firm monitored Spears’ phone calls and text messages by “mirroring” her phone on an iPad and even placed a listening device in her bedroom. Watching these interviews makes the #FreeBritney movement look more vital than ever.

Controlling Britney Spears

Stark’s film doesn’t just explore how Spears has allegedly been controlled; it also grapples with who exactly has been doing the controlling. Vlasov alleges that Black Box boss Edan Yamini and Robin Thornhill, an employee of Tri Star Sports & Entertainment, which handles Spears’ business management, essentially operated in tandem with the singer’s father. “Jamie, Edan and Robin were basically a part of every step Britney took,” he says chillingly. “Britney could not have someone in the privacy of her house without those three people knowing.” Spears’ longtime friend and assistant Felicia Culotta, who also appeared in Framing Britney Spears, insinuates that the singer’s controllers tried to drive a wedge between them. At the end of the film, Culotta says she no longer has a working number for the singer.

Stark also includes audio footage from Spears’ recent court appearance in which she sounds lucid and coolly furious as she outlines how the conservatorship has hurt her. It’s a reminder that the most important voice in this profoundly sad situation, Spears’ own, is only rarely heard. As with Framing Britney Spears, Stark’s investigation is sometimes thwarted by the fact that various court documents have been sealed, which makes it easy for Jamie’s team to insist that his “record as conservator – and the court’s approval of his actions – speak for themselves”. Controlling Britney Spears also poses a growing ethical dilemma: at this stage, are we simply imposing another tragic narrative on a woman who almost never gets to tell her own story? The conservatorship is up for review again in court today (September 28). After watching this film, you’ll hope Spears gets to share exactly what is on her mind.

‘Controlling Britney Spears’ is available on Sky Documentaries and NOW

The post ‘Controlling Britney Spears’ review: toxic conservatorship back under the microscope appeared first on NME.

8 17 28
Load more comments
  1. AllisonAddam
    Allison Amazing! I've been making $85 every hour since i started freelancing over the internet half a year ago... I work from home several hours daily and do basic work i get from this company that i stumbled upon online... I am very happy to share this work opportunity to you... It's definetly the best job i ever had...Check it out here... www.homejob1.com
  2. SarahScholzSarahScholz
    SarahScholz I'm making over $17k a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life. This is what I do....................... www.paybuzz1.com
  3. mildredwestbrook
    MildredWestbrook My last paycheck was $2500 for working 12 hours a week online. My sisters friend has been averaging 8k for months now and she works about 30 hours a week. I can't believe how easy it was once I tried it out. The potential with this is endless. This is what I do ..............>> Www.CashApp1.com
  4. janice.c.parks
    JaniceParks I have made 96,760 Buck just last month by working online from my home. I am a full time college student and just doing this in my free time for few hours per week by using my laptop.Everyone can check this out and start making cash online in a very easy way by just following instructions…... .COPY This Website....HERE══════►►► Www.Self25.com
  5. HeikeSaenger
    HeikeSaenger Every month easily makes more than $15k just by doing very simple home based job. Last month i have received $16834 from this online job just by doing this in my part time for only 2 hrs maximum a day.....   Open this site For Full Detail................. www.paybuzz1.com
  6. nancymclaughlin
    NancyMcLaughlin I am making a good salary from home 💰$6580-💰$7065/week , which is amazing under a year ago I was jobless in a horrible economy. I thank God every day I was blessed with these instructions and now it’s my duty to pay it forward and share it with Everyone, Here is I started.…….............>> Www.CashApp1.Com
  7. LauraBoothLauraBooth
    LauraBooth Start working from home! Great job for students, stay-at-home moms or anyone needing an extra income…You can work this job As part time or As A full time job. You only need a computer and a reliable internet connection… Make $90 hourly and up to $12000 a month by following link at the bottom… You can have your first check by the end of this week…Lifetime Opportunity This is what I do..................... www.paybuzz1.com
  8. RosemaryQuinnRosemaryQuin
    RosemaryQuinn I make up to $90 an hour working from my home. My story is that I quit working at Walmart to work online and with a little effort I easily bring in around $40h to $86h… Someone was good to me by sharing this site with me, so now i am hoping i could help someone else out there by sharing this site... Try it, you won't regret it!................................ www.paybuzz1.com
  9. joheci
    joheci I have made 96,760 Buck just last month by working online from my home. I am a full time college student and just doing this in my free time for few hours per week by using my laptop.Everyone can check this out and start making cash online in a very easy way by just following instructions…... .COPY This Website....HERE══════►►► Www.Wo­r­k­s­4­4.Com
  10. davon98
    davon proh Some people are saying that the 𝐌𝐀𝐗𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐋𝐇 is fake. This is not fake, just people don't know how to get the page for working online. After opening 𝐌𝐀𝐗𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐋𝐇 you have to 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 for the online working page.HERE→→→→→ bit.ly/amazonearning08

to add a comment...

Close

Press esc to close.
Close
Press esc to close.
Close

Connecting to your webcam.

You may be prompted by your browser for permission.