It's Britney, bitch. In light of new information on Britney Spears’ battle for autonomy, Rachel and Rebecca reflect on the legal and moral implications of conservatorships in the United States, the spectacle of feminine celebrity, and how this iconic pop star has influenced our feminism, our music taste, and our lives. All business, all Britney, with no time for small talk. You’re welcome and/or we’re sorry.

Note: Since the recording of this episode, a judge has allowed Britney to hire her own attorney.

Originally recorded July 11, 2021.

Ronan Farrow and Jia Tolentino’s New Yorker Mag piece on Britney’s conservatorship battle is available here. The authors also did an episode of the New Yorker Radio Hour about it, which you can listen to here.

The New York Times feature-length documentary about Britney’s conservatorship, entitled “Framing Britney Spears,” is available to stream on Hulu. 

Information regarding conservatorship law in the US was obtained from:

KindlyCare: Understanding Guardianship, Conservatorship and POA 

LawHelp: Guardianship and Conservatorship: Frequently Asked Questions

Forbes: Beware The Con Game Of Conservatorships 

The National Center on Elder Abuse: State Level Adult Guardianship Data: An Exploratory Survey 

United States Senate Special Commission on Aging: Ensuring Trust and Examples of Conservator Exploitation: An Overview

The American Bar Association: Challenges in Guardianship and Guardianship Abuse 

For more info on recent federal government movement regarding conservatorship reform, check out this article from The Hill as well as a letter, drafted by Senators Elizabeth Warren and Bob Casey.

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