Britney and her dad out to dinner in February. Credit: WENN
It looks like Britney might not be quite ready for life without parental supervision, despite her father moving out of her house. It seems his conservatorship of Britney is probably going to continue for a while longer.
Britney Spears’s father will likely remain in control of the singer’s affairs following a court review Thursday, an expert says.
“I would be very surprised if the court ends her father’s control so soon,” says Terry K. Wasserman, a mental health attorney not involved in her case. “It’s rare for someone to regain their capacity in just 60 days.”
Two months ago, Spears’s attorney Samuel Ingham testified that the pop star was unfit to take part in legal proceedings. “In fact, they could be harmful to her,” Ingham said.
It seems like so much longer than 60 days, doesn’t it? The LA Times has an article on how Britney’s new found sanity is bad for the paparazzi and gossip columnists, and discusses the changes in her since her father has taken control.
A commissioner in Los Angeles County Superior Court subsequently named her father, Jamie, co-conservator of her and her estate, giving him and a lawyer control of the 26-year-old’s medical care, finances and day-to-day activities.
Out went the paparazzi-friendly advisor, the British-accented outbursts and the aimless driving excursions that sent caravans of photographers coursing through the city. In came meals at home, family talks, conferences with attorneys and, on a good day, dance class.
The structure and supervision transformed Spears’ life for the better, her representatives say.
Ten months after she lost custody of her sons, she finalized an agreement with her ex-husband that provides for gradually expanding visitation rights. She is reportedly back in the recording studio. On the rare occasions she ventures out, the gossip sites that documented her woes have congratulated her on her healthy, happy appearances.
It is welcome news for her family but an enormous change for those used to translating Spears’ intemperance into a paycheck.
“Her father is doing what a good parent would do, but that doesn’t help the paparazzi,” said Bonnie Fuller, who was editor of Star magazine and Us Weekly when Spears was a staple.
“She’s not going out with her former BFFs Paris and Lindsay anymore,” Fuller said, referring to Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan.
Before the court intervened, Spears was seemingly omni-available to the videographers and still photographers who camped outside her Studio City gated community.
She dated a paparazzo. Her closest friend and advisor, Sam Lutfi, allowed photographers into Spears’ house and provided them with information about her comings and goings, according to her mother, Lynne.
Very impressive for two months work, although I think a relapse of her mental health issues is going to happen, as it does for most mental helth patients. I think that come December when her new album is released we’ll see her crack under the scrutiny.
Not that I’m looking forward to this, but the Telegraph has this article talking about how she is hounded. I found this a really interesting insight into what her life is like.
CEO (of papparazzi agency Hollywood.tv) Sheeraz Hasan told me he got into the Britney business after receiving a message from God whilst on the hajj to Mecca. I started to laugh. Then I realised he wasn’t joking.
“I’d been praying all day when I stopped at a café,” he said. “There in front of me was a magazine with Britney Spears on the cover. It was like God saying ‘I’ve got something in store for you when you get back to LA’.”
Sheeraz has had a team tracking Britney 24/7 ever since. Later on the day that I met him he got a tip that the star was in a restaurant off Sunset Boulevard and before I knew it we were holed up in the car park with a pack of 40 paparazzi photographers.
When Britney strolled out of the back door chaos erupted. Flash bulbs strobed and grown men vaulted over parked cars to get their shot. It was a feeding frenzy, and I’ll admit, it was exciting — this is Britney after all. But Britney herself looked scared.
Most disturbing I found was this comment from the creator of poorbritney.com, Kristi.
Kristi told me that Britney is not the first tragic star she’s been drawn to. She’s still pretty hooked on the queen of celebrity tragedy Princess Diana.
“I loooove Diana” she explained excitedly, “because she was another who was miserable in her personal life and then she died in an accident that involved the paparazzi. Britney could be my new Princess Diana”.
Does she want another Princess Diana incident? Kirsti actually isn’t the best person to interview on the subject although she does make for a sensational soundbite. She writes on the website that she loves Britney because she is mentally unstable and not responsble for her actions, and is ‘craaazy and sad and fragile’.
Britney is currently working on her tan in Mexico, and a new album is anticipated for December. The Thursday court hearing will also decide whether or not to put a restraining order on Sam Lufti, reports People.
Here are older photos of Britney going out to dinner with her father in February. Credit: WENN
I suppose I get what Kristi MAY be TRYING to say…? I used to not like Britney but now that she’s had all these problems I want to just, like, be her friend or something. Like, be a good influence and keep freaks like Ali Sims and Sam Lufti away. I think Kristi’s on the same wavelength. Hopefully. I hope it’s not like “I want to see them miserable because they have everything”.
REALLY? Didin’t the judge see the photos of her in that white bikini. She’s lost 15-20 lbs. Doesn’t he know skinny = healthy.
Wow these people are crazy!
=S
Wow… this is why I thank my lucky stars everyday for me not being famous…
That Kristi chick… creepy!
Its sad that Britney compares herself to Princess Diana. They have nothing in common, except being harassed by the media. Princess Diana was a blueblood, Britney is a southern-fried girl from Louisiana.
Agreed, Cindy.
Lord, I pray that Brit’s father stays on for at least a year. She’s making improvements, but it *is* fragile. And I think her dad is the best person to handle the chaos that is Brit’s life. *fingers crossed*
It’s not Brit who’s comparing herself to Marilyn, it’s this Kristi chick comparing the two on her website.
This is a messed-up story! These people who make their living hounding others are sick–especially this Kristi. That man is deluded–I mean, REALLY–God told him to go after Britney Spears?! I would think that He would have much better things to do with His time, don’t you?
And to the ones who think that Princess Di and Britney have nothing in common? They do–they are both HUMAN BEINGS who don’t deserve to be treated this way.
Mental illness is no joke–no laughing matter; it’s a vicious cycle of depression feeding on bad feelings which causes behavioral problems which then cause more bad feelings. The person who suffers from it has absolutely nowhere to hide–how can you get away from your own mind?
Jackals, all of them.
I don’t usually post here, but I feel strongly about this story and had to speak up. I don’t mean to rant.
Good comments and good perspective Solitary Angel.
Could Amy Winehouse use Mr. Spears, ASAP?
Ditto, good POV SolitAngel!
@ RAN & Crux: Thanks! 😀