Britney Spears recently shared intimate reflections on the psychological toll of her conservatorship, describing a period where she felt like a "robot." The reflections accompanied an Instagram post where Spears modeled a black, embellished lingerie set.
In the post, Spears, 44, detailed how the conservatorship, which ended in November 2021 after 13 years, had a profound negative impact on her emotional well-being. She recalled an instance where a friend questioned her choice of a "rock 'n' roll bra," noting it was uncharacteristic. Spears agreed, stating that while she performed such looks on stage, her personal style was different. She expressed pride in having "shut it all down" after years of forced performances.
Spears described experiencing physical reactions, including shaking and asthma attacks, when forced to interact with more than 10 people, such as during meet-and-greets. She alluded to her father, Jamie Spears, who was instrumental in the conservatorship, having her meet with "70 people."
"I lost the sensitivity of my soul," Spears wrote. "And it literally hurt. I felt like a robot." She further elaborated that despite a naturally shy and sensitive disposition, she was compelled to adopt a different persona as a performer. The experience, she stated, left her feeling like "a machine."
In a subsequent caption, Spears emphasized that many people still do not grasp the "real damage that was done to my heart and soul" during the conservatorship. She noted that after the birth of her sons, Jayden and Sean Preston, she felt "silly and embarrassed," which contrasted with her stage persona. "Honestly, I felt like a robot, a machine. And thank the lord it's over," she concluded.
The singer also touched upon her life post-conservatorship, including her dating experiences after her 2024 divorce from Sam Asghari. She recalled feeling like the "youngest and shortest person in the room" upon arriving in Los Angeles as a young performer and meeting Shakira, whom she described as being "exactly" her size.
Spears was released from her conservatorship in November 2021. Prior to her release, she testified in court, describing the arrangement as "abusive" and calling for her father's imprisonment. At the time, she stated, "I've been in shock. I am traumatized." She expressed a wish for the conservatorship to end, stating, "It's my wish and my dream for all of this to end."