Even though the conservatorship that dominated her life for over a decade has been lifted, it's clear that Britney Spears is still bearing the scars from the traumatic experience.
Aside from the odd Instagram post, she has not gone into detail on what she underwent during that oppressive period, when her father Jamie managed almost every detail of her life - from her finances to what medication she could take.
Last night, however, the pop star - who has just made her musical comeback with Elton John - uploaded a 22-minute-long video on YouTube that gave a scathing account of her family's role in the conservatorship.
The video, which had no picture and was posted via a link to Spears's Twitter, was made private not long after she posted it.
However, she did reveal that she had been offered the chance to speak publicly about her story by the likes of Oprah, but wanted to share it on her own terms.
“I’ve had tons of opportunities…but I’m here to open myself to others and shed a light on it,” she said. “I get nothing out of sharing this…I have offers [for] lots and lots of money…to me, it’s beyond a sit-down, proper interview."
She then proceeded to give a timeline of the conservatorship, explaining that both her mother and father were instrumental in setting it up, after "a woman introduced the idea to my dad, and my mom actually helped him follow through and made it all happen."
She went on to elaborate on the night it began, saying she believed that it was all pre-meditated and how suddenly "there were over 200 paparazzi outside my house videotaping me through a window of an ambulance holding me down on a gurney.”
"It was all basically set up. There were no drugs in my system. No alcohol. No nothing," she says. "It was pure abuse. And I haven’t even really shared even half of it."
She also spoke about her 2009 'Circus' tour, revealing how she was forbidden from socialising with her dancers and the crew. "My performances were horrible,” she said, explaining how helpless she felt, because “I was a robot, honestly. I didn’t give a fuck anymore.”
“It was demoralising,” she added. “You also have to understand, it was like 15 years of touring and doing shows. And I’m 30 years old, living under my dad’s rules. And while all of this is going on, my mom’s witnessing this, my brother, my friends — they all go along with it."
She also addressed the 'Free Britney' movement, and how hurt she was that she had strangers fighting her corner while her family stood idly by.
Spears ended the message by referencing her new song with Elton John. "I have an amazing song right now with one of the most brilliant men of our time, and I am so grateful," she said. "But if you are a weird, introvert oddball like me, who feels alone…and you needed to hear a story like this so you don’t feel alone, know this: My life has been far from easy and you’re not alone."
Her mother Lynne, meanwhile, responded to her daughter's account by posting a photo of them together on Instagram. "Britney, your whole life I have tried my best to support your dreams and wishes!," read the caption. "And also, I have tried my best to help you out of hardships! I have never and will never turn my back on you! Your rejections to the countless times I have flown out and calls make me feel hopeless! I have tried everything. I love you so much, but this talk is for you and me only , eye to eye, in private. "
The full audio message can be heard here.
