‘I cried for two weeks and well… I still cry sometimes’
Britney Spears has taken to Instagram to share her long-awaited response to the recent New York Times documentary, Framing Britney Spears.
The singer directly addressed the film for the first time, explaining that she hasn’t watched the whole thing, but is “embarrassed by the light they put me in”. The documentary tracks Spears’ rise to fame, her struggles with mental health, and her ongoing conservatorship battle, as well as the fan-started #FreeBritney movement which seeks to free her from it.
“My life has always been very speculated, watched, and judged,” she wrote on Instagram, alongside a video of herself dancing. “I have been exposed my whole life performing in front of people!!! It takes a lot of strength to TRUST the universe with your real vulnerability cause I’ve always been so judged, insulted, and embarrassed by the media… and I still am till this day!!!!”
She continued: “As the world keeps on turning and life goes on, we still remain so fragile and sensitive as people!!! I didn’t watch the documentary but from what I did see of it, I was embarrassed by the light they put me in. I cried for two weeks and well… I still cry sometimes!!!!”
“I do what I can in my own spirituality with myself to try and keep my own joy, love, and happiness!!!! Everyday, dancing brings me joy!!! I’m not here to be perfect… perfect is boring. I’m here to pass on kindness!!!!”
Although this is the first time Spears has referenced the documentary specifically, in February, she wrote on Twitter: “Each person has their story and their take on other people’s stories!!!! Remember, no matter what we think we know about a person’s life, it is nothing compared to the actual person living behind the lens!!!!”
Since the NYT documentary premiered last month, Spears has continued to seek changes to her decade-long conservatorship. A number of celebrities, including Paris Hilton, have also spoken out against the legal arrangement, while her father has defended his position as her conservator.
Earlier this month, Dazed spoke to experts about what conservatorships are usually for and the ethics surrounding them. You can read the feature here.