THE BBC has confirmed the release date for an explosive new Britney Spears documentary about her conservatorship war.
The Battle for Britney: Fans, Cash and a Conservatorship will see BAFTA-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar seek to uncover the truth behind the conservatorship that the 39-year-old popstar has been held under for the last 13 years.
A conservatorship is a legal arrangement in the US that places an adult under the legal guardianship of another.
Britney – whose hits include Toxic and Baby One More Time – has not controlled many of the decisions around her finances or her career since 2008.
Instead, her father Jamie Spears has been the one in control, despite Britney recently asking for him to be removed.
After setting out on his journey in the autumn of 2020, the documentary – which will be released on BBC iPlayer on Saturday May 1 – will follow Mobeen as he journeys from the star’s hometown of Kentwood, Louisiana to Los Angeles.
Along the way he attends a court hearing, finding himself in the midst of the ongoing battle between Britney’s conservatorship team and the passionate fans behind the #FreeBritney movement.
He speaks to those fighting to free Britney and discovers what that means to them, and meets the people closest to Britney herself to learn more about the person behind the headlines.
Mobeen Azhar said: “I went to LA in search of the truth of how Britney Spears, one of the biggest pop stars on the planet, ended up in a conservatorship.
“I found myself in a world of lawyers, superfans and paparazzi and spent time with many of the people who’ve had a front row seat in Britney’s life.
“This film taps into the energy of the #FreeBritney movement and questions the industry, fandom and the laws that facilitate conservatorships.”
Last month, a judge upheld a previous ruling that made a financial company a co-conservator for the singer, after dad Jamie had bid to exert greater control over his daughter’s finances.
The ruling means Jamie and private trust company, Bessemer Trust will now have equal power to manage Britney’s finances.
The new BBC documentary follows the recent New York Times-produced documentary, Framing Britney Spears, which covered a similar subject.
The Battle for Britney: Fans, Cash and a Conservatorship will drop on BBC iPlayer on Saturday May 1, with a BBC Two broadcast to follow on Wednesday May 5 at 9pm.
