Celebrities join the #FreeBritney movement in the wake of the 'Framing Britney Spears' documentary

Over the past few years, the #FreeBritney movement has been alive and well. Fans have regarded Spears’ social media account with heightened skepticism, wondering just how much control (if any) the infamous pop star has over her life.

The controversy came to a head last year, when it was revealed that her request to have her father removed from her conservatorship was denied. Now, in the wake of the Framing Britney Spears documentary produced by The New York Times, the public interest in the perceived rise and fall of Britney Spears has reached a fever pitch.

The film was released on Friday and, in the days since, several celebrities have taken to social media to join in on the discussion. Spears is, after all, a legend in the entertainment industry who has spent most of her life in the public eye (for better or worse). She not only rose to fame in front of the entire world, her struggles with her mental health were also put on display – and often made worse by unrelenting media coverage that lacked a sympathetic view of her hardship.

Some stars, like Jessica Sarah Parker, simply joined in on the onslaught of #FreeBritney tweets, while others, like Valerie Bertinelli, called out the "horrible" men in her life. 

This response should come as no surprise. The documentary not only pulls back the curtain on her personal and professional struggles and the conservatorship which has granted her father, Jamie Spears, control over her affairs for 12 years, but also speaks to celebrity media culture. Hollywood has, over the past few years, been held accountable for industry-wide misogyny, but with Framing Britney Spears, we are reminded of the culture and landscape which young, female stars were subjected to not so long ago.

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Taking to Twitter, Hayley Williams elaborated on this observation, noting that ‘no artist today would have to endure the literal torture’ that was inflicted upon Spears at such a vulnerable time in her life.

And of course, plenty of other stars expressed their support and sadness over all that the documentary revealed. Miley Cyrus even included a shoutout to Spears in her TikTok Tailgate performance.

Justin Timberlake is also coming under fire, as the documentary reminds everyone of his treatment of Spears in 2002. After their very public courtship, Timberlake fanned the flames of cheating rumours, notably with the release of his hit song "Cry Me A River." The music video features an unfaithful blonde actress who, not so coincidentally, looked a lot like Spears.

The following year, Diane Sawyer interviewed the "Toxic" star, pressuring her with pointed and accusatory questions about her former relationship with Timberlake. Sawyer said things like, “You broke his heart, you did something that caused him so much pain, so much suffering,” while continuously pressuring Spears to tell her “what she did” to Timberlake. Eventually, Spears broke down in tears.

The next court date for Spears' conservatorship battle is on February 11th. In the meantime, it seems there is a lot to discuss in regards to the #FreeBritney movement and celebrity culture in general – and we have a feeling the conversation is just getting started.

BEFORE YOU GO: Dan Levy makes his SNL hosting debut

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