Britney Spears “seems loopy and not right,” under stress from ‘X-Factor’ gig

Even though I think Howard Stern was rude for saying it publicly, I think he was right: Britney Spears is going to be a “train wreck” and a hot mess as a judge on The X-Factor. There were rumors about the gig for what felt like MONTHS, and then finally Simon Cowell announced it – Britney and Demi Lovato are the new judges for the new season. Considering Britney is still very much under a conservatorship that her father and her fiancé control, there are some concerns as to whether Britney will even be able to do her job on the show, LIVE on air. Us Weekly has a lengthy and heartbreaking story about it in this week’s issue. The basic gist? People close to Britney worry that the stress of The X Factor gig is already sending Britney into breakdown territory.

Those closest to Britney worry The X-Factor opportunity will be just another rise before a fall – live, in front of millions of viewers.

“Doing X Factor may lead her back into meltdown territory,” says a source. “She gets extremely nervous and anxious. She’s hard on herself and not very confident.”

Anything new, even positive developments like her engagement to Jason Trawick can rock the boat. “For her, it’s all input as stress,” explains the source. “This is a lot of change at once for Britney. She’s coming undone.”

Sources warn that Britney hasn’t healed 100 percent since her 2007/2008 breakdown. “She really is starting to seem loopy and not right,” admits a source close to Spears. “She is so happy one minute and sad and crying the next.” Adds a second source, “Her emotions are fragile.”

“She is very scared and overwhelmed by the thought of it,” a source says about the idea of participation in The X Factor. And her reported $15 million payday seems to be a hindrance, not a help. “Now that she’s gotten financially stable again, she is starting to let loose and let old demons come out,” says a source.

At a friend’s crawfish-boil party in LA’s Brentwood neighborhood May 5, Spears showed up sporting cutoffs, a cropped top and no shoes – and proceeded to ignore the other guests while muttering obscenities to herself! Hanging out alone by the food, a source says, “she would sort of say to no one, ‘F–k it, I’m eating whatever I want. I don’t care.’ Everyone was wondering what was up.”

Out of the public eye, Britney is an angel, a neighbor insists. “Britney has been keeping very quiet,”says the source, who lives near Spears’ $25,000-a-month, five-bedroom mansion in the private Sherwood Country Club.

“She has a very simple life that doesn’t require her to go out very often,” explains another source. “Everyone she needs to see comes to the house. She gets her hair done or spray-tans at home. She is definitely lonely and doesn’t have friends.”

Her favorite pastimes? Decorating her new home and working out. “She has a trainer who comes to the house a few days a week… she also has a chef who cooks meals for her and the boys.”

[From Us Weekly, print edition]

The article goes on to detail how structured and managed Britney’s personal and professional life is, using many of the points I’ve made in the past for why Britney shouldn’t be “engaged” to Jason Trawick – this is a woman whose life is still very much micro-managed by her father and her fiancé. Then the article goes on to detail how The X-Factor will work if Britney has some kind of issue live on air – the details include versions of “well, maybe one of the other judges will just talk over her” and “well, boozehound Christina Aguilera can somehow function on live television, how hard could it be for Britney?” I just get the feeling once again that everybody is using this poor woman. WTF are Jamie Spears and Jason Trawick thinking, allowing Britney to go through with this?

Photos courtesy of WENN.

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142 Responses to “Britney Spears “seems loopy and not right,” under stress from ‘X-Factor’ gig”

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  1. Kathrin says:

    She surely looks so uncomfortable all the time… I’m also not sure if this will end well…

    • Rhea says:

      I hope the people around her this time giving her an extra care in reading any sign of stress/meltdown from her, and put a stop before a major breakdown like before happening again. Not really agree with her doing this gig for it seems like it’s going to put a pressure on her. I wish her the best….

      • Kathrin says:

        Yes, I think she needs extra-care, too. And I hope the paparazzi will leave her alone (although that’s not very likely)…
        she managed to get her private life out of the limelight and just focus on her music career so well in the last time and now she is putting herself (or better: is put) in the interest of tabloids again… I am deeply concerned.

      • Tiffany says:

        I agree that she shouldn’t be doing this. If she is so bad off that she needs a conservatorship, then she shouldn’t be saddled with this much stress and responsibility. Her fiance is a jackass for negotiating this for her, for being a co-conservator AND fiance, and for securing a role for himself in the X-Factor. So selfish! Clearly not in HER best interest!

        The Hollywood Reporter told the sad truth about her state at the Fox upfronts, and it should be a HUGE warning that this is not in her best interest:

        “the brief appearance by a notably uncomfortable Spears had one observer refer to her as a “hot mess”. Of course, that could be exactly what Cowell wants, but he might have overshot the mark.”

        “when she took the stage with co-judge Demi Lovato, a visibly shaky Spears only muttered a couple lines about being “ready to find a true star.”…it created a sense of doubt as to whether Spears can perform the way X-Factor needs. If one suspects Spears is intended to fill the Paula Abdul “train wreck” slot, that can’t happen unless the train is capable of pulling out of the station.”

      • Genevieve says:

        Poor girl. Whatever her disorder is, stress is always indicated as the beginning of decompensation. Years ago, I thought, “Oh, another spoiled, out of control LiLo” (and I STILL hope she proves me wrong), but I no longer believe that Britney’s functional problems are anything other than a mental disorder. I DO hope everyone is moving into this huge decision with utter regard for and unselfishness where Britney’s income is concerned. Also, I’m depending on Simon Cowell to be the brilliant control freak that he is (LOVES him!) and carefully shepherd over things. I believe he is compassionate; I believe that he will hit the brakes if she starts to spiral, and probably had Plan B and C covered should that be an issue. Fingers crossed for the girl

    • corny says:

      I would be uncomfortable standing next to simon squarehead cowell too!

      • Kathrin says:

        LMAO! He really has a squarehead! I never noticed that before…

      • gg says:

        No kidding! And his square head is sporting an even more simianlike bush ‘do. Do they use a photo of a gorilla to style him with?

    • girlnbayou says:

      Good observation Kathryn, a friend of mine is a big fan, been to every concert that has come our area, last time she paid a small fortune to have vip so she could do a meet and greet. Before she was allowed in her room security told her, dont touch her, dont ask her any questions, no sudden movements, dont stand too close etc. They explained to her she is extremely shy and fearful of people she doesnt know. And it is evident in pictures just how painfully uncomfortable she is. Just look at the picture with simon, her hands are to herself and her actual body is as far away as the pictre would permit and she is leaning in with her head. I feel really sorry for her because no amount of money can erase what she had to grow up dealing with, paparazi, crazy fans, family and friends with ulterior motives. Combine that with a very documented history of mental illness and you can see where she could end up a nervous, unstable, insecure adult. I think britney would love nothing more than to retire and just live out her life quietly but she has a lot of outside forces influencing her.

      • TheOriginalTiffany says:

        ITA. Her eyes look dead, her head tilted away in the first pic, in her alone pic she is in the defensive stance with arms crossed.

        I don’t think she’ll ever be functional based on her past, but I hope so. She makes me sad.

      • Sassy says:

        The situation that you describe, with your friend paying for VIP seats in order to have a meet and greet with Britney absolutely horrifies me. Britney is being sold like a piece of meat to the public. She is not mentally healthy and her “people”, who are making money from her by exploiting her should be held accountable.
        Very sad state for Britney.

    • Maguita says:

      How can Simon Cowell be Simon Cowell, if he cannot in his own words, with his own in-your-face blunt attitude, tell you that he strongly disagrees with your point of view?

      If they have to tip-toe around Brit so much, the show will definitely lose its integrity, and interest. I watch mainly because of the judges’ silly and back-stabbing bickering.

      How does a feeble and fragile Britney fit into this equation?

    • Rin says:

      If she is 30 years old and needs a “conservatorship” then she’s non-functioning and probably can’t be making business decisions or romantic ones that can end in a horrible business decision.

      Is she even functional?

      • ZenB!tch says:

        I’m worried about her getting married and her dad no longer being a conservator. I think Mr. Spears will pull her out if it’s too much for her but I don’t know that the fiance would.

        I can’t see him being in love with a woman he hasn’t really met. He knows a medicated zombie, he doesn’t know what she is like when she is not having a breakdown. He doesn’t know what makes her laugh, what music she likes, what her friends were like, or anything.

    • thyphoid mary says:

      I’d absolutely love to see a Britney comeback with that contagious energy she had back in the day.
      BUT GOOD GRAVY, BRIT! Grow a couple of lady-balls and just say it: “sorry ya’ll! I need to go enjoy my life, let someone els who needs the 15 mil have them, i have plenty of though in the bank for future Brit -Brit generations. Love ya’ll.”
      I’m sure most fans would agree.and be pleased to see you go and be a daughter, a mom and a fiance.

      • Jaxx says:

        I don’t think you are ever going to see that energy again because it is now suppressed by the medications she is on. She looks tired and unfocused and that is medication.

  2. Lacey says:

    This makes me sad 🙁 Why can’t Britney get the help she needs?

    • ahoyhoy says:

      I know…I suffer from Depression, and the part about her being lonely in her house really hit home and breaks my heart. I’ll hang out with you, honey!

      If she’s still having this much trouble, she is not on the right meds yet, or she doesn’t respond to them, and will never be fully functional. I don’t respond to any meds, and it sucks, and it’s a terrible years-long process of trying all of them. If Britney hasn’t found her right ‘mix’, she needs to be at home. Mental illness kills people, they shouldn’t ignore it.

      • RocketMerry says:

        So sorry, sweetheart. I hope you get better and find joy and happiness in the world.

        I agree. Britney doesn’t seem to be in a good place at all, they should let her heal in peace!
        Actually, both Britney and Demi don’t seem to be in condition to do this.

      • Maguita says:

        Sorry for your troubles ahoyhoy, hope you find the right balance and recover to full health soon!

        I believe now that Britney will never again belong to herself. It is very sad to have to mechanically live through a haze of drugs, to be led around like sheep, and to submit to a brainwashed laziness, with no one looking out for your best interest.

        Because let’s be honest, Britney’s best interest would, and should be her taking control of her life, on her own terms. Whether on the stage, or far from public scrutiny raising her boys. But I’m betting that the latter does not fit with the Britney product, or the projected financial expectations.

      • Meecey says:

        @Ahoyhoy you are right on! We need to get her n hang out! The depression club. Sounds bla tho. Gotta have better name!
        Her so called father n fiance r not lookin out for her w this gig. Way too much stress n she will crack just matter of when! Poor Brit. Get help. ;(

      • bluhare says:

        ahoyhoy: I’m bipolar like Britney, although not nearly as severe. I know what depression is as mine tends toward the depression/anxiety end. I wish I got the euphoria with it! I just recently went back on medication due to circumstances around me, and it’s helping, although there’s no cure for the loneliness that comes with it is there?

        That being said, I will support her with everything I have. She’s being gutsy even considering it, and she certainly doesn’t need the money. I think she’ll gain confidence as she goes.

      • Maguita says:

        Hey bluhare, how are things today? Hope your are hanging on strong…

      • gg says:

        My heart goes out to you. I know that feeling.

      • tmbg says:

        So true, ahoy. I have depression/anxiety/panic disorder and for a time, the medications I took kept the panic under control, but for the last five months, it’s been back on and off again.

        I feel for you and understand what you mean about the medications.

        Mental illness never goes away; it’s just kept under control through medications and lifestyle changes (if appropriate – if Britney’s bipolar, then medication is definitely needed).

        I feel bad for Britney because she does seem fragile and maybe she’s being pushed to do this. She hasn’t quite been herself since 2007-2008. She’s made a lot of money and maybe she should just take however long she needs to recuperate and if she wants to make a comeback, then try it, and if not, move on to something else. I do think her family is a big help to her though. If not for them, she’d have likely ended up either like Whitney or Lohan.

      • Asiyah says:

        Funny you say that, Ahoyhoy. When I read that she’s lonely I also immediately said, “I’ll hang out with you!” Must be my own depression and need to be needed.

      • Lizzie K says:

        All the best to you ahoyahoy. As I’m sure you know, there are new meds being developed all the time, and I hope you can find something that helps.

        Mental illness is indeed a killer, and everything about this deal with Brittney Spears just makes me feel sad and sick. No way should she be put under this kind of stress in the public eye. She doesn’t even look stable, much less act that way. It’s like pulling the wings off a fly … where is the conscience of the people setting this up?

      • ZenB!tch says:

        I have the flip side – anxiety disorder. I totally relate to her not “liking” people. I don’t like having to say “hi” to my neighbors and making small talk.

        I have friends but I’m best 1 on 1. I don’t call people and ask them if they want to go out. I am also very protective so if Britney needs a mani-pedi buddy who gets it and wouldn’t let them be mean to her, I’d be glad to do it.

        I call anxiety disorder the flip side because one of my friends is bi-polar but the lesser one. Her “mania” is the anxiety. I’m sure she would be willing to hang with Britney too. She needs to meet other women with the same or similar issues who get it.

        Maybe Britney and Demi will be OK being around each other, I’m not sure what Demi’s diagnosis is but after finishing this part of the thread (I replied immediately to @ahoyahoy) I believe even more that we need to be around other women with similar issues. It’s easier when someone gets it.

    • mayamae says:

      Perhaps Britney has more than one diagnosis – making her harder to treat.

      If she is Bipolar, and was controlled, post-partum depression could have thrown her for a loop. Her babies are very close in age and post-partum can take a while to be noted and treated.

    • Jaxx says:

      She has gotten it. The result is now a Britney who is relatively stable but not the same Britney that lit up the world in her teens.

      The sad thing is that mental illness is the fuel for a lot of genius. Those glorious highs often produce breathtaking art, music, literature, etc., but the down side is that the lows often destroy that same genius. That is why many talented people refuse to take medication–they fear it will suppress the very thing that allows them to create.

      I’m not saying that Brit is a musical genius but she very much had something the world could not take their eyes off of. Her family has probably saved her life but a Brit on heavy medication is going to be a Brit forever muted. So much of the meds for this type of emotional illness is very sedating. It can temper those horrible feelings that accompany the lows but at a cost of sometimes feeling very little at all.

      It is so sad. I believe her family has helped her but I also sometimes wonder if they aren’t pushing her to make all the money she can until she can’t any more. It sure doesn’t look like she enjoys it much.

    • tmbg says:

      ZenBitch, does your friend have something called bipolar NOS (Not Otherwise Specified)? I hesitated to say it here, but that’s what I’ve been diagnosed with. It’s not like true bipolar where there are manic upswings and deep depressions. The anxiety is my “mania” like your friend has, and I don’t really get deep depression, but a milder version.

      It’s hard to believe I’ve finally heard of someone else having it. It seemed to me like it was some kind of weird diagnosis created out of the blue, but I guess not.

      I’d totally be Britney’s pal too. I could definitely relate and she seems like a nice girl. She just doesn’t seem nasty and bitchy like some of the other celebs we read about on here.

  3. dorothy says:

    She needs to forget her career and just quietly retreat back into a normal life. I don’t think she will ever be a 100%.

    • mel2 says:

      +1…feel sorry for her.

    • deep says:

      I agree. I think her brain was altered by drug use years ago when she had her breakdown. Or breakdowns…Anyway, I feel so bad for her. I think they are constantly having to tweek her meds. She has loads of money. I just think she needs to leave the limelight and live out the rest of her life away from showbiz. You can look at her eyes and tell something isn’t right. God bless her.

    • Katie says:

      The really sad reality is that she has absolutely no idea what normal life is.

    • TXCinderella says:

      I also think she should get out of the limelight. Her sister has been able to do that. Some normalcy would probably do her some good. She has enough money to last her for the rest of her life, so she should go and live a quiet life somewhere other than California.

  4. Ming says:

    – WTF are Jamie Spears and Jason Trawick thinking, allowing Britney to go through with this? –

    Fifteen million US dollars.

    • Rhea says:

      This.

    • Gia says:

      Yup.

      • VanessaP. says:

        No. I dont think that’s it. Britney is worth 250 million dollars. She doesn’t need the money. I think she’s doing this coz doing nothing at all is even harder. The girl has been working in the spotlight since she was a child, it’s all she’ve ever known. I read somewhere that Britney ACTUALLY wanted to do this to prove people wrong, that she “can be funny, charming, genuine and NOT crazy..” (breatheheavy.com)

    • Marjalane says:

      Uh, yeah. The same way they propped her up and sent her out on tour! It’s disgusting- they probably tell her how much her fans adore her and “she owes it to them”. Her keepers are greedy, but Simon Cowell is an even bigger pig- he’s doing this KNOWING people will tune in for a train wreck.

      • I.want.cake says:

        Agreed. It seems like he went out and purposely chose two emotionally unstable young women.

  5. Eileen says:

    I was one if the hardest judgers after her breakdown-boycotted anything she did and have stuck to it. But this breaks my heart. She seems so lost. I for one am now rooting for her! I think she will do well if she can not pressure herself and take all the critical comments personally. The whole muttering about eating whatever she wants-I’m sure she doesn’t want to hear the gossips talking about her weight. Really feeling for her!

  6. bros says:

    she definitely looks high and anxious in those pictures. i feel bad for her she cant get well after 5 years.

    • Annie says:

      Her body language is VERY defensive these days. I notice in photos are arms are almost always either
      -crossed
      -behind her back is if to restrain herself from punching someone
      -un-naturally by her sides like a stiff penguin.

      Perhaps worried about people judging her for her illness? I feel sad that she seems not to have recovered her self confidence.

    • deep says:

      I don’t thinks “high” is the appropriate word here. I think medicated is more like it. Bless her heart..like I said in an earlier post Britney changed her brain chemicals during drug use years ago and has never gotten it back. She is now mentally messed up..and it seems the damage is here to stay. God Bless her heart.

    • bluhare says:

      Mental health drugs don’t make you “high”. If anything they make you feel like a rag doll.

  7. marie says:

    This story makes me sad, hopefully it’s not true. But I will say, that bit about sitting near the food and muttering obscenities to herself about what to eat-I’m fairly certain I’ve done that before, probably about mid-diet, so that doesn’t really seem like a big deal to me. I really do hope she’s stronger than they say and that she proves them wrong, but it’s not looking good.

  8. Lilou says:

    For Pete’s sake… It’s been 4 years that people are waiting for her to have another breakdown!

    A new album : “she will have a breakdown”

    A new tour : “she will have a breakdown”

    A new show : “she will have a breakdown”

    So maybe, her father and her fiance actually know what’s best for her.

    I think they do a pretty good job since her 2007 breakdown. After all, she still is sick but she manages to have a normal life and to work.

    So why don’t we wait and see how she will actually do on X-Factor?

    • brin says:

      I agree, I don’t think her family would agree to this if they didn’t think she would be able to do it. Hope she proves the naysayers wrong!

    • Lola says:

      I agree with you. While I understand the general concern about her mental health, I think it is somewhat unfair to expect her to not live a productive life. While I do believe she suffers from anxiety, I do not believe her Doctor or judge will approve this without taking her mental health into consideration. Good luck britney

    • JFK says:

      Yes but there is huge difference between full control, staged interviews via email and public appearances for 10 min and LIVE tv where you have to interact with your co-stars and other people. You have to be sharp, quick, funny. Is she sharp, quick and funny?

      • Lilou says:

        Yes… But she was able to do TWO world tours. Not the best, but still : no breakdown or insane stuff.

        I’m sure she will do her best on X-Factor and I am sure everything will be just fine.

    • Enn says:

      Thank you!

    • Rhea says:

      It’s not that I am waiting for another of her breakdown, but like another people said here I think right now she manages to work well because she gets her private life out of the limelight and just focus on her music career. She is no longer the main target of paparazzi.

      Now she’s back in the interest of tabloids again by doing a live TV show (which would put a pressure for someone to look good either in the appearance or the way interacting with others). So, yes there’s a concern from my side. Is 4 years enough for her to be put again in the limelight? I do hope her parents know what they are doing and letting her signed this gig because she’s ready for sure. Not just for the money.

      • Lola says:

        I think being productive helps her mentally. I do not know what are condition is but I refuse to believe that her Doctor, family and judge has not put all factors into consideration. I think they believe this will help her gain confidence. Most of this shows are scripted anyways, if she can work on her anxiety, she will do fine.

      • Rhea says:

        @Lola : Sometimes people put aside their concern and logical mind to trade it for more money. Since it’s already signed, let’s just wish her the best. I am rooting for whatever the best for her.

    • Carolyn says:

      Exactly. Is Brit supposed to sit at home watching daytime tv all day and not do anything productive? I hope she does really well. I’m more worried about Demi’s mental fragility than Brit’s.

    • Johanna says:

      Thank you Lilou!
      I wanted to write something but figured it would be overlooked.

      • Johanna says:

        Damn tab. I meant to say that I wanted to write something similar to your sentiments. Just so sick of everyone pointing out how she always looks medicated & that she’s more fragile than glass. It’s obvious to me she’s taking it one day at a time & as you mentioned, her father & fiance are doing a hell of a job because like you said, it’s been 4 years people.

    • k says:

      I agree, maybe it will be healing for her to be in a position of mentoring and giving support to others. It may show her concretely how much she has to offer and give to the world that is more about her quality’s as a person and less about her performing and act. I think if there was going to be any next best step to help Britney start to function more effectively in the world and in the public eye, this might be a very controlled and well supported move. I may be naive but I think Simon and L.A.Reid seemed very supportive and nurturing to the young singers on their teams, maybe they will offer that same care to Britney…

    • Sugar says:

      @Lilou I too say thank you! I work in mental health & I see it all everyday.
      Brittany has a support system around her & people agree or not about motives of those her do support her I have to say that it’s been working on her behalf. she has been living life and yes if untreated or not treated right her illness could have debilatated her & no way would not have been able to accomplish what she has since her psychotic break. I want to see her succeed for herself I’m proud of her for the resilience she has shown & do hope that thru learning the coping skills to get this far if she felt it to much pressure she would say ain’t gonna do it-her fans and fam would understand:)

  9. JFK says:

    Come on people. Just look at these photos above. Her body is there but her soul/mind/personality or whatever you call it is NOT there. She clearly takes some strong medications. Leave alone this poor woman. People, her fans need to stop pretend that everything is fine, great, and “old” Britney is back because she lost some weigh.

    • deep says:

      Agree….her father should remove her from the limelight. She may still want to be a star but she is ill and it is over. They just need to take her back to her home town and let her live her life in peace. I watched her last tour on EPIX the other night it I couldn’t watch the whole thing. It was pitiful. Just down right sad to see her like that. It’s not the Britney she used to be. She can’t dance at all anymore. And, she just looked dead in the eyes. It is truly over. Take the girl home and let her be. Bless her

  10. RuddyZooKeeper says:

    She may be putting an enormous amount of pressure on herself to be who she WAS, not who she IS. Eat what you want, girl–you are a grown-a$$ woman who doesn’t have to look 17 anymore if you don’t want to! And that’s just for starters.
    That second photo could be captioned “God, I just wish I could be myself.” She looks so sad and lost, on the outside looking in. What a lot of us who struggle with mental health issues feel at one point or another.
    Ugh, I wish her luck and pray she finds balance with the person she has discovered she is and the roles she thinks she has to play.

  11. Rice says:

    Why do I get the feeling like she’ll eventually beat Simon Cowell with an umbrella?

  12. Maritza says:

    I’m guessing they are counting on her to act all crazy to gain ratings for the show.

    • Mia 4S says:

      Exactly! This is just sad. The poor thing is unstable, she will never be the performer she was. Saddest of all she should have enough money to retire and live very quietly and comfortably. Why hasn’t she? Hmmm, how many people are still making their living off of her? She should be responsible for supporting her children and her children only.

  13. Jag says:

    They’re not “allowing” Britney to go on with this. They are forcing her to do it! She can’t work without their permission, and it’s obvious how uncomfortable she is, so she isn’t the one who decided to take the job, imo. I feel for her. She needs her life back.

    • Gia says:

      Exactly…and people need to remember that it was her family that got her in this mess in the first place. She broke down because of the enormous pressure put on her shoulders at such a young age. The british accent, allowing sketchy people into her life and drug use was a RESULT of the breakdown not the cause of it.

      • Lola says:

        I don’t think anyone is forcing her to do anything. She likes to be productive, I think her decision to do this is mostly due to the fact that she wants to do something new and fun. While the outcome might not be exactly what she hopes for but I think she wants to challenge herself. People need to understand that what the con- ship does is to protect her interest. I don’t believe her doctor or judge cares about her image butt rather her well-being

      • Tuan says:

        Britney if u ever see our comments which u are never going to see, cuz they drug u plz don’t listen to the ones who say ur in good shape you’ll do just fine cuz that just bull, u are not alright u are sick and need to see that Jason, ur Dad, ur Doctors, and Jugdes are using u to rune ur life like what they did to (Mj may he rest in peace) ur fans are fake, the ones that are real are her commenting on this post and know that ur not well and need to get the hell out of their, take ur kids and leave before something bad happens to u. I love u brit and it hurt all of us to see u like this we love u so much. I would hug u so hard it would be hard for u to breath, that how much of a fan i am to u that all i can say and nothing eles. Ur fan Tuan 🙂

  14. Shuffle says:

    IMHO I believe her mental state from her divorce and custody fight took a devastating toll on her, and it still shows to this day. It would seem to me she is heavily medicated to keep her calm and somewhat rational just to help her get thru day by day.

    While her father has created some structure for her and has righted her income slide, I think she really needs to be out of the spotlight for a few years to get her self well and to get out from all the pressure she feels.

    Her attempt at suicide was her just being unable to cope with her stress in life and her mounting personal problems. As much as it was never publicly said I think she had a serious drug problem which she used as a way to escape from it all.

    I think her parents won’t giver her the time away that she needs due to the fact that they are concerned if sheis out of the spotlight too long, the intrest won’t be there nor will the income everyone is used to coming in.

    personally I this it’s a shame that she is unable to step back and just not be on for everyone.

    I think we will see another breakdown or sucide attempt in the near furture, hate to say it but she still seems way too fragile to be out and working.

    • Jayna says:

      She used drugs to self-medicate. That’s a common thing for people suffering from bipolar disorder, which is a lifelong illness. Being on the proper medication for her illness helps her tremendously

  15. Jaime says:

    Ugh, she’s so fragile. Just let her live in peace with her boys, and just let us remember her when she was stronger, no pun intended. She gave enough of herself when she was younger.

    Love Britney, always will.

  16. SisterMaryHotPantz says:

    Mark my words, the real train wreck on this show is going to be Demi Lovato.

    • Veruca says:

      And y’know, Sister Pantz, that really upsets me. Simon Cowell has sunk to a whole new low — exploiting (and gambling on) the emotional frailties of women who’ve been exploited their whole lives.

      I pray for them both that they can hold it together, and that Simon gets the worst case of Herpes in recorded history.

      It seems fair…

      • Michelle says:

        I agree with you. I think he’s just evil for taking advantage of extremely vulnerable women just for ratings. It’s so sad. 🙁

  17. TheOriginalKitten says:

    Just saw her in a short interview a couple days ago and even in that short clip, you could tell something was very very off. She seemed to not know what to say regarding her X-Factor gig and just seemed really nervous. I’m sure if she’s been spending years living a hermit-like lifestyle, that it’ll be a bit of an adjustment to get herself back out there again. Being on stage and performing is so different than giving interviews, talking and interacting with people etc.

    • eileen says:

      I think that’s the big issue here. For her tours and music recording, she sings, performs and does this over and over like a robot.
      Now she’s in a situation where she has to improvise and rely on her own. I’m sure for someone who suffers from mental illness while the whole world watches, that can be extrmely stressful.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        Exactly. She just seemed…rusty. I think there is such a big difference between being on stage and having that control-the separation from the audience and just knowing that everyone in the audience is paying to see her. Versus having to interact with fellow judges/contestants, plus all the obligatory promotional interviews etc that comes with her new gig. I hope she can get it together but so far it doesn’t seem likely.

  18. Jayna says:

    Spare me. The woman toured for six months all over the world and. did fine. Now, that’s pressure. Sitting at a desk voting will be far less stressful and probably fun for her.

  19. Darlene says:

    I’m worried about her AND Demi Lovato. 🙁

  20. serena says:

    What the hell are they thinking allowing two instable women that went through a lot of emotional and phisical problems go live on tv??!!
    This will be hard on Demi and Britney.. I feel for them.

  21. Talie says:

    I don’t think she ever got proper help and instead was just made into a prisoner. Putting someone on a steady stream of pills doesn’t cure them of mental issues, it just makes them a shell of what they were.

  22. jess says:

    I feel bad for brit but all I can ever think about whenever I see Simon is his face! Is it botched plastic surgery or just bad botox and cheek implants?

  23. Mar says:

    She is a total whack job. She’s going to have a melt down as soon as Simon tells her that her act sucks

  24. Jaime says:

    “Now that she’s gotten financially stable again…” As if she was ever NOT financially stable. She made more money last year than any other pop star. She’s doing this because she wants to. No ome’s forcing her bc she could make just as much money from sitting at home with those perfumes she has. They smell great by the way. Yes she has anxiety issues but she’s a big girl, she can handle it. She’s not the dumb vapid girl that people think she is and she will prove the naysayers wrong. Yes she lost some of the passion she once had for entertaining but this gig may be what she needs to spark that fire in her again. All he has to do is sit in a chair and be herself, this will be easy for her. I feel a little bad because she seems sensitive to criticism but she’s been criticized more than anyone and it did shake her but it didn’t break her. She’s stronger than you think.

    • Veruca says:

      I’ve never wished any ill will on Brit. I just hope she can handle this. The girl’s been through a lot. I don’t want her to go through anymore.

      I hope you’re right. If he hadn’t selected Demi, too, I’d be less suspect that Simon’s hoping for a meltdown just to spike his ratings.

  25. Mew says:

    Poor girl.

  26. Amanda says:

    I think Britney will do fine, it’s unfair to assume that she won’t do well because of a mental illness. After 4 years of being on medication for bipolar (which I’m sure they’ve found a medication mix for her because it’s ridiculous if they haven’t) I’m sure she’s quite capable to pursue other interests like judging. I believe she looks uncomfortable because she is doing something out of her comfort zone. My sister was diagnosed with bipolar last year, yes she had to try out a couple of medications but her “mix” was found within 2 months. She’s managing perfectly fine now 🙂 It does not take 4 years, a year max.

    • cr says:

      If your sister got her meds correct after only two months, she’s very, very, very, very lucky.

    • Amy says:

      Good for your sister, but every story is different.

    • some bitch says:

      It took me almost three years to find the right combo. In the meantime I lost a ton of hair thanks to lithium, put on weight and slept WAY too much thanks to anti-psychotics. No personality. No ambition.

      Funny enough, it would up being the very smallest dose of a medication that had the most benefit.

      Your sister is a very rare case. I hope Britney’s OK. I wish people would just leave her alone and let her raise her children in peace.

    • Aussie Bipolar says:

      Glad your sister is doing ok….it’s not the first part of bi-polar that is the worry, it is the overconfidence a year or more down the track when you sabotage your care plan because you are feeling so good and in control. The poor girl seems to work best off routine and repetition(like me)

  27. NeNe says:

    I think she might not be ready for this gig. I think her ‘handlers’ are pushing her into this for the $$$, and I hope she will not fall apart again. Good luck, Brit!!

    • Pix says:

      I agree 100% that her “handlers” are calling ALL the shots. She is being controlled by the two men in her life and it is really sad to watch.

      Poor Britney and Demi never had a chance when they were born to such awful parents who sold them to the highest bidder.

  28. Zorbitor says:

    The authorities insure that even rock stars don’t party like rock stars anymore

  29. Shelly says:

    Her eyes always say it all and betray the smile plastered on her face. She is over it. Over being famous, over being a performer. I don’t think she looks “medicated”. I think she looks unhappy and trapped in a life she no longer wants and hasn’t wanted in many years.

  30. Anmelt says:

    Her eyes haunt me. They look so dead. I always thought she seemed a nice person in interviews. Lilo I feel no sympathy for whatever but Britney’s situation is quite sad.

  31. Mimi says:

    So, ok I’d like to share a personal Britney story. I live only about half an hour away from Kentwood. We took my son on a hay ride while at a local pumpkin patch. I look to my right and there is Britney with her two boys! Can I please just tell you she is hands down, one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. I really hope that this is the right thing for her. Good luck Brit.

  32. Jover says:

    I’m sorry why is she being treated like a fragile china doll; she’s made millions lip synching crappy pop songs; she’s an adult; we have people 18 and 19 making life/death decisions in Iraq/afghanistan and she can’t handle mumbly some useless advice on some silly talent show. Sorry for being bitchy, but this is all done for ratings;
    Can someone please inform me of what Simon’s real record of discovering and bringing to the public real talent is, not just another generic pop star? I’m curious.

  33. Dee Cee says:

    So many caretakers won’t let her do what she wants to do because it is harmful, illegal, disrespectful.. irresponsible and perhaps frightening..

  34. Pau says:

    I just have to say that this is one of the only sites that I frequent, which has the best comments and commenters 🙂 its always such a pleasure to read smart,respectful and intelligent responses!

  35. Jessie says:

    Seriously you people with all this “poor Britney” she’s fine. Yeah she looks anxious but that’s how a lot of people feel and they’re not even being watched by the entire world! She’s a good person, she’ll be alright.

    • Jordan says:

      It’s not about whether she is a good person, it’s about how many good people she has around her b/c they are making her decisions for her. If they made the decision b/c they couldn’t pass up the money, regardless of whether she wanted to or was ready to, then it’s going to be even worse for her in the future.

  36. ZazaGirl says:

    We love u Brit. Stay strong

  37. skuddles says:

    Just sad that she’s been pushed into doing this when clearly she is not well… but I guess millions of bucks say otherwise.

  38. Winter says:

    That article is such bullshit there are pictures of her talking to people and laughing at that party the media is just trying to paint this woman as a train wreck and she hasn’t done anything in the past few years to even remotely suggest that she is going to have another breakdown. It’s the complete opposite she has had a successful tour and album and other successful ventures as well. The media and the general public want her to have a breakdown no one wants to actually give her credit for the fact that she is still trying to get her life back on track and have some type of normalcy. Britney doesn’t have to do anything she doesn’t want to do if she didn’t want to go on tour or record an album she didn’t have to she didnt even have to sign on for xfactor she did because she wanted to do it her conservators cannot make her do anything she doesn’t want to do they are there to sign legal document for and okay things that she wants to do in no way can they force her to do something she doesn’t want to do, she has lawyers to protect her from that if at any point they feel Britney or britney herself is being forced into something they can intervene and go to the judge. She has a mental illness that she will always have to live with and take medication to keep it in check but that doesn’t mean she can’t lead a normal life and can’t do things she has every right to do so. If Britney wanted out of the conservatorship she could have petition the courts to get out of it along time ago. The fact that it seems that she thinks this is best for her for now shows that she is committed to getting better and getting her life back on track. I wish people would stop acting like this women doesn’t know what’s going on in her life or what she’s going through and her mental state. It’s really no wonder celebs or people in general hide their mental illness because people treat them as if they’re children or like the stupid and fragile. This woman has shown a great deal of progress and that should be enough for people especially people who have no idea what she actually going through, instead people feel the need to pick apart everything this woman does like they’ve done since the begining of her career she has such an unfair amount of pressure on her from people from every end it’s bound to break the most strongwilled person.

    • TheOriginalKitten says:

      These are for you: . , ; –
      I think you will find them helpful.

      • Winter says:

        I know I didn’t add the proper punctutation and I don’t care I’m on my phone and I didn’t bother proof reading my paragraph, but thanks for your useless advice jerk.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        Jerk? I was just trying to help you improve your grammar.
        Now my feeling are hurt 🙁
        PS-Are you still on the phone? Because you’re still not using proper punctuation, kiddo.

      • Veruca says:

        Me Ow, Kitty! (sorry for the bad grammar 😀 )

      • Winter says:

        Yes you are being a jerk your original comment wasn’t needed you weren’t trying to be helpful you were just being an asshole. Yes I am on my phone still don’t try and act like you were trying to help because you weren’t.

    • Snowpea says:

      Winter, I think you forget yourself.

      Your post was about four inches long and had no punctuation to speak of. It meant that I didn’t bother to read it and I can guarantee you that many others don’t either.

      Why go to all that effort if your message isn’t going to be read?

      Punctuation are the stop and go signs of literature. They gently guide you down the meandering road of the story, asking you to pause here or go faster there.

      Without punctuation, you have a maze that nobody wants to enter.

      Oh and PS – calling someone a jerk makes you look angry and bitter. Maybe remember your manners next time ; )

    • sarahtonin says:

      @Winter

      If you want people to read your long-winded posts and understand what you’re banging on about, you have to at least punctuate it. Try reading your post out loud and only take a breath when you see a full stop or comma. If you don’t care, like you claim, then why take so long to type your rambling thoughts out on your phone? You should be thanking TheOriginalKitten for bothering because I gave up in the second sentence.

    • Sloane Wyatt says:

      Hi, Winter! I read your post all the way through, and you made some good points. Personally, I don’t care that you didn’t punctuate. So what, right?

      On the other hand, as much as I enjoy reading grammatically correct material, I think pointing out ANYONE’s mistakes, whether it’s grammar or using the wrong fork at dinner, is rude and somewhat hostile.

      On the third hand, I’m unintentionally doing that exactly myself too! My intent here is to give you support because I think you’re right and simply calling it the way it is. In my experience, no one is ever being ‘nice’ by putting you down.

      • TheOriginalKitten says:

        @Sarahtonin and Snowpea- THANK YOU!

        @SloaneWyatt-I’m sorry, how exactly did I “put this person down”? I simply gently suggested they use proper punctuation. This person then called me a jerk and an asshole. Who is putting who down now? This is a public forum, not a private dinner party (drawing on your ‘wrong fork’ analogy). If you put a comment out there you can expect that others will have the right to comment back. Anyway, if you’re concerned about people being rude to others, maybe you can tell me why name-calling somehow falls outside of your definition of rude?

  39. Lisa Marconi says:

    So I guess we’re not supposed to talk about her (alleged) abuse by her Disney handlers, eh? Way to stifle discussion.

  40. Mela says:

    Brit Brit is doing a lot better since her breakdown and that’s important for her children.

    I’ve always been very curious to know if she suffers from schizophrenia. My sister works with mentally handicapped adults, they typically get into conservatorships with their parents if they are lucky. Don’t think it’s a bad thing for Britney, she must be very mentally ill to have a conservatorship. My sister has an interesting opinion on Brit’s fiancé being her conservator.. It appears Brit is functioning enough to have a romantic relationship with a man although their relationship may not be the same as ones you and I have. Thats ok. My sis thinks this is positive because having her husband be apart of her conservatorship gives her more of a voice in the conservatorship, her husband is on “her team.”. It could be a good balance of power with her father. Also, her father is getting older, heaven forbid something happens to Brits father..her husband could take responsibility for her. They may be thinking… Let’s give Britney as much autonomy as she can, let her be in a relationship, let her have a job (it’s not like she’s qualified for an office job) but she obviously is not functioning enough to take care of herself and children.

    Time will tell if Brit can handle this new gig. Expectations for her are clearly lower and that’s how it should be.

    • sarahtonin says:

      She was definitely psychotic but I never heard it called Schizophrenia. I read stuff like Postpartum Psychosis, Amphetamine Psychosis or Bipolar Disorder with psychotic features. (Oh and then from the tinfoilers: Dissociative Identity Disorder induced by Satanic Ritual Abuse as an Illuminati sex slave ;)).

  41. Me says:

    Oh for Pete’s sake there are tons of better options than those two spazes.

  42. Bella says:

    I thought it was the dated eye makeup..
    something just not right.

  43. Bella says:

    OMG! THESE TWO? SHOW OVER.

  44. Vesper says:

    Talk about the stigma of mental illness. Britany is bipolar and taking her meds. Do u know how many people out there are bipolar and living fairly normal lives? Being bipolar doesn’t mean one isn’t capable of handling some stress and living a normal life especially when u have access to emotional and medical support. Locking someone away at home isn’t going to help in the long run.

    • Lisa says:

      But pushing someone into a comeback time and time again isn’t a good thing either. Most people’s fairly normal lives don’t include being a judge on a high profile TV show every week. She might never be a secretary in a office, but it just seems like too big of an undertaking for her already.

  45. Lisa says:

    Sad. The media should quit pushing her to have a comeback. All it does is create higher expectations and more stress, and you know she can’t handle it. It’d be like pushing someone with PTSD into a bullring and expecting them to wave the red scarf.

  46. mymy says:

    BRITNEY HAS HAD TO DENY HER TRUE SELF AND BE THIS CREATED SELF DURING A VERY IMPORTANT PERSONAL GROWTH PERIOD. SHE IS OBVIOUSLY UNSURE OF WHO SHE IS. AND SHE NEEDS TALK THERAPY AND A GUIDE TO GO BACK AND BECOME WHO SHE IS. oops sorry cap lock on. Anyway. Drugs will not address this. As you can see from how unsure she looks.Drugs are harmful and cause many personality side effects.Stop working Britney . Get out of Hollywood. Don’t get remarried. Till you do some schema therapy. It will take about 6 months to a year. She is a very introverted sensitive woman. Who was acting. Now she can find out she is so much more than this persona. Money reward are not the only way to determine your worth.I also believe she has suffered some sort of brain washing.

  47. Maritza says:

    Why hasn’t anyone mentioned how awful Fantassia Barrino looked and sang in last night’s American Idol show? She was dressed in a shiny leotard with spits on the sides and she had a long haired wig, she was screaming instead of singing, it was terrible! Even Rihanna’s was just ok but Jlo stole the show, she was excellent!

    • Jayna says:

      Fantasia looked awful, but even worse was her performance. I was going, Dear God., make it end. I don’t get it. I bought her most recent record from over a gear ago and it is fantastic, old school R&B.. Then she just screeches nonstop last night.

  48. sarahtonin says:

    Has anyone stopped to consider that this could just be publicity? She has been employed for trainwreck value, so why wouldn’t they start the hype up with ‘Brit the Nutter’ stories? Telling us her rider consists of Herve Leger dresses, fried chicken and crisps is just what we want to hear too for that matter. Tune in sunday night for fat, crazy Britney stuffing her face with tater salad and cheetos and talking shite!

  49. Jordan says:

    Poor woman! TMZ is reporting that she has already walked out on judging at least once and not sure if she is coming back. I think she is being pushed for the money. I still find it hard to believe that she is allowed to marry when she can’t make her own decisions. Oh well, we’ll see how it goes and how it affects her.

    • switchy says:

      from her twitter:
      Britney Spears‏@britneyspears
      #Britneywalksoff??? LOL was just taking a little break people. I am having the BEST time!!!

      I think poeple are just looking for stuff to complain about. From everyone who was there, they all said she did great and her responses were constructive and cohesive. People need to get off her junk!

  50. Kiyoshigirl says:

    She certainly looks better than I’ve seen in the past few years. That in itself speaks to her improved health. When she was at her worst she looked a mess, hardly showered, ratty hair, ugly boots, etc. I’m not sure she’s ready for this, but maybe she wants to give it a try. I hope they give her the opportunity to bail if it becomes too much for her.

  51. palermo says:

    Every time I see a photo of her she looks like she’s forcing a smile, her eyes are not showing happiness. The best thing for her is to go on and be a housewife, raise her boys and stop trying to have this public life.

  52. d says:

    I would not rely on TMZ to tell the truth about what’s going on. Remember, they’re tabloid like any other and hooks and page views and outlight misinformation make them money. If they tell the full story on something, what’s the reason to come back?

    I wish Britney the best. don’t know what’s going on with her, but I hope she’s well and takes care of herself and that her doctors at the very least have her best interests at heart. For Britney the human being, not Britney the performer. I wish I was her big sister and could just give her a big hug every day and tell her it’s going to be okay.