Celebrities posted messages supporting Britney Spears after the airing of “Framing Britney Spears,” a new New York Times documentary about the pop star’s life, career, and conservatorship.
Stars like Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker tweeted “FreeBritney” with a hashtag, referencing the fan-formed movement that was created in support of the court abolishing Spears’ conservatorship that prohibits her from having control over her own fortune and from making her own financial decisions.
While others offered words of understanding, they also expressed anger at Spears’ situation and the fact that despite the attention surrounding her circumstances, the pop star has received little help. Controversy has even erupted over an old interview with Diane Sawyer in which the journalist made Spears cry while probing into her recent break-up with Justin Timberlake.
“No artist today would have to endure the literal torture that media/society/utter misogynists inflicted upon her,” tweeted Paramore member Hayley Williams. “The mental health awareness conversation, culturally, could never be where it is without the awful price she has paid.”
“Misogyny and patriarchy and the media did Britney Spears so dirty,” added comedian Jenny Yang. “Ru Pal’s Drag Race” star Shae Coulee also weighed in with his thoughts.
“Watched #FramingBritneySpears last night. Just WOW. If there is one take away I got from it. Is that this wouldn’t have happened to Britney if she were a man… it’s absolutely infuriating. And I just want them to #FreeBritney,” he shared.
“Framing Britney Spears” gave the world an in-depth look at the singer’s rise to fame through those in her close inner circle including her manager, lawyer, and ex-flames Timberlake, Kevin Federline.
Fellow pop star Miley Cyrus gave a shoutout to Spears on TikTok before taking the stage for her Super Bowl performance Sunday night, proclaiming “We love Britney!” and then paying tribute to her by singing her name during “Party In The U.S.A.”
See more reactions below.
— Sarah Jessica Parker (@SJP) February 7, 2021
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) February 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/yelyahwilliams/status/1358093963467620360
Anyone watch Framing Britney on Hulu? So sad! #FreeBritney
— Trinity The Tuck ?️⚧️ (@TrinityTheTuck) February 8, 2021
Watched #FramingBritneySpears last night. Just WOW. If there is one take away I got from it. Is that this wouldn’t have happened to Britney if she were a man… it’s absolutely infuriating. And I just want them to #FreeBritney
— Shea Couleé (@SheaCoulee) February 8, 2021
https://twitter.com/KingAmiyahScott/status/1358546548167241729
Ok the fact that Super Bowl Sunday has made my timeline filled with #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay and #FreeBritney is such a win! I wish I cared more about football (not really) but rooting for Janet & Britney always ??
— Chrishell Stause (@Chrishell7) February 7, 2021
https://twitter.com/MattRogersTho/status/1358508847954972675
? Good morning!? have a great day! And: #FreeBritney
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) February 8, 2021
Like I said, I’ve always had soft spot for Britney Spears. But the NYT documentary radicalized me. I’m so angry. #FreeBritney
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) February 8, 2021
The only Pepsi Halftime Show I can get behind is if The Weeknd brings Britney out on stage and she tears up her conservatorship paperwork and shoots it out of a confetti cannon. And then they sing Toxic. #FreeBritney
— Michelle Collins (@michcoll) February 8, 2021
misogyny and patriarchy and the media did britney spears so dirty.
oh and justin noodlehead ? #FramingBritneySpears #FreeBritney
— Jenny Yang (@jennyyangtv) February 7, 2021
Finally watched the “Framing of Britney Spears” on Hulu. It’s an understatement to call it heartbreaking. #FreeBritney
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) February 8, 2021
Just watched the “Framing Britney Spears” documentary and have to say, there is something VERY weird, very wrong going on. #FreeBritney ?
— Garbage (@garbage) February 8, 2021