Britney Spears’ father files to end star’s conservatorship after 13 years

Published

3 years ago

September 7, 2021

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Jamie Spears has filed a legal petition to end a controversial conservatorship which has controlled the affairs of his daughter for the last 13 years.

Legal documents submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court by Spears on Tuesday state that his daughter Britney “is entitled” to have a judge “seriously consider” whether the arrangement is required.

The documents add that Britney Spears’ circumstances have changed “to such an extent that grounds for establishment of a conservatorship may no longer exist”.

“She wants to be able to make decisions regarding her own medical care, deciding when, where and how often to get therapy. She wants to control the money she has made from her career and spend it without supervision or oversight,” the legal documents state.

“She wants to be able to get married and have a baby, if she so chooses. In short, she wants to live her life as she chooses without the constraints of a conservator or court proceeding.”

And Jodi Montgomery, the care-giver who oversees the star’s personal affairs, should also be discharged from her role, Mr Spears said.

Britney Spears, 39, has attempted to remove her father as the overseer of her $60 million estate twice in the last two years, even refusing to perform while he retains control.

In July, the singer told Judge Brenda Penny that it was her top priority that Mr Spears, 69, be removed and charged with “conservatorship abuse”.

She also accused her father, who is a recovering alcoholic, of ruining her life and alleged that he “loved” to hear her in pain while he exerted his power over her.

At the height of her fame, Spears was one of the world’s biggest pop star. She is famous for hits including Baby One More Time, Oops!… I Did It Again, I’m A Slave 4 U, Toxic and Womanizer, although she has not performed since 2018.

She has been under the control of the conservatorship – usually reserved for the old and infirm – since 2008, when it was put in place as a temporary measure following her high-profile reported breakdown.

She told a court in June the “abusive” legal arrangement was stopping her from getting married and having a baby and that it was her “wish and dream” for it to end.

She alleged that she was being compelled to take certain medications and to use an intrauterine device for birth control against her will.

In a court filing in August, Mr Spears said he was willing to step back as the conservator of her finances, but offered no timetable.

Spears’ attorney Mathew Rosengart, a high-powered Hollywood lawyer, then accused Jamie of attempting to “extort” his daughter, alleging he asked for about $2 million (£1.45 million) in payments to his legal team and former business manager Tri Star.

A petition to remove Mr Spears from his role was to be heard at the next hearing in the case on 29 September. Ms Penny will now need to approve the move to terminate the arrangement for good.

Mr Spears’ filing represents a significant win for the #FreeBritney movement which has gathered momentum in recent months.

His lawyers have sought to defend him from claims he wanted to keep the arrangement in place for his benefit.

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The filing adds: “As Mr Spears has said again and again, all he wants is what is best for his daughter.

“If Ms Spears wants to terminate the conservatorship and believes that she can handle her own life, Mr Spears believes that she should get that chance.”

Mr Spears gave up his control over his daughter’s life decisions in 2019, handing the role to court-appointed Ms Montgomery, but he kept control of her finances.

In July, Spears was allowed to hire Mr Rosengart as her lawyer, replacing Samuel Ingham, the man appointed by the court in 2008. He has promised to help her end the conservatorship for good.

Entertainment

Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, has died

Published

10 hours ago

November 4, 2024

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Quincy Jones, music titan who worked with Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, has died

Quincy Jones, the music producer and composer, has died at the age of 91.

Jones worked with Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and many other artists.

Among his best-known credits was as the producer of Jackson’s historic Thriller album.

Jones oversaw the all-star recording of the 1985 charity record We Are The World.

He also composed the soundtrack to the hit 1969 British film The Italian Job, starring Michael Caine.

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed Jones died at his Los Angeles home on Sunday surrounded by his family.

In a statement, his family said: “Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’s passing.

“And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

His family added Jones was “truly one of a kind” who they would “miss dearly”.

“We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created,” they added.

“Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’s heart will beat for eternity.”

His career, which spans more than 75 years, saw him achieve 28 Grammy award wins out of 80 nominations.

He was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.

Lionel Richie, who co-wrote We Are The World and was among the charity single’s featured singers, called Jones “the master orchestrator”.

Jones, a father of seven, was married three times to Jeri Caldwell, Ulla Andersson and Peggy Lipton.

His children include music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, known for Parks And Recreation and the US version of The Office.

Entertainment

Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek shares he has bowel cancer

Published

12 hours ago

November 4, 2024

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Dawson's Creek star James Van Der Beek shares he has bowel cancer

Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek has said he has been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

The 47-year-old American actor – famous for his role as Dawson Leery in the drama series – told US outlet People on Sunday that he has colorectal cancer.

Bowel cancer – sometimes also called colorectal cancer – starts in the colon or the rectum, which makes up the large intestine in the digestive system.

It is one of the most common types of cancer in the UK, according to Cancer Research UK, with around 42,900 people diagnosed each year.

Speaking to People, Van Der Beek added: “I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family.

“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”

He said he has been prioritising time with his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek and their six children, Olivia, Joshua, Annabel, Emilia, Gwendolyn and Jeremiah.

The actor – also known for his roles in Don’t Trust The B—- In Apartment 23, CSI: Cyber, and the FX drama Pose – also posted on Instagram about his diagnosis.

Van Der Beek said he planned on “planned on talking about it at length with People magazine at some point soon,” but instead announced the news on Sunday morning “when I was informed that a tabloid was going to run with the news”.

He then added: “I’ve been dealing with this privately until now, getting treatment and dialling in my overall health with greater focus than ever before.

“I’m in a good place and feeling strong. It’s been quite the initiation, and I’ll tell you more when I’m ready.”

In December, Van Der Beek will appear in the Fox special The Real Full Monty, which will see male celebrities strip naked to raise awareness for prostate, testicular, and colorectal cancer testing and research.

Entertainment

Margot Robbie welcomes first child – reports

Published

1 day ago

November 3, 2024

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Margot Robbie welcomes first child - reports

Margot Robbie has reportedly given birth to her first child.

The Australian actress has welcomed a baby boy with her husband, British actor and film producer Tom Ackerley, according to People magazine.

The couple have not publicly announced the arrival or revealed the baby’s name.

The 34-year-old actress went into labour two weeks ago, shortly before her due date, according to the Mail On Sunday.

Robbie’s pregnancy became public in July, when the couple were pictured on holiday in Italy, followed by several red carpet appearances.

Robbie and Ackerley married in Byron Bay in 2016 after meeting three years previously on the set of World War II drama Suite Francaise.

Prior to becoming a couple, Robbie described herself as the “ultimate single gal” in an interview with Vogue.

She said Ackerley changed all that, and after being friends “for so long,” eventually “it happened”.

The Barbie actress went on to say their relationship “makes so much sense, the way nothing has ever made sense before”.

Robbie and Ackerley founded production company LuckyChap Entertainment in 2014, along with British assistant director Josey McNamara and Australian film producer Sophie Kerr.

Championing female-focused film and TV, it has been involved with movies including Barbie and Saltburn, and the Netflix series Maid.

Sky News has reached out to representatives for Robbie and Ackerley for comment.