It is no surprise that celebrities go through highs and lows during their careers. Many are subject to hate, stalking, stress, and so much more. What is not known to many, though, is what exactly happens to these celebrities when they experience years of this abuse.
A prime example of a celebrity who has experienced both extreme successes and failures during their career is Britney Spears. Known as the “Princess of Pop”, Britney Spears has been in the spotlight for her entire life, releasing her first song when she was only sixteen years old. Being seen as such a pop icon, it is easy to forget that Spears was just a teenager when she was thrown into her career, soon to be controlled by her father, Jamie Spears.
At the start of her career, Britney was a success and had a great rise to fame. The whole world was obsessed with her great vocals and amazing dance skills. Her career seemed to be taking off, with multiple concerts, TV appearances, and awards; so it came as a shock to many when Spears “broke down” in the public eye. Many didn’t understand and still do not understand what happened to Spears when her career seemed to be doing so well, which is explored in the New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears documentary.
The documentary touches upon Britney’s life as a teenage pop star and how her mental state was hidden from the public eye, causing her to suffer in silence until she came to a breaking point. After this “public meltdown,” as many critics like to call it, Britney’s father Jamie Spears was put into place as her conservator, in a court-mandated conservatorship. A conservatorship is a legal concept whereby a court appoints a person to manage an incapacitated person or minor’s financial and personal affairs. Since this conservatorship, many fans have spoken out in the hopes that Spears can take back her own life, rather than having her father control her life and career.
Though Britney Spears isn’t physically in this documentary, many of her interviews and takes on her life as a young star are used to tell her side of the story. There are also appearances of people who were involved with Britney’s life and her case, such as her long-time assistant, Felicia Culotta.
The documentary also explores the #FreeBritney movement as fans rally around the singer to break free from the control of her father and live a more fulfilling life. For more information about the issues surrounding the life of Britney and her conservatorship such as timelines and reports, you can visit FreeBritney.net.
New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears is available to view for free on Hulu.
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