Who controls the narrative? Britney Spears and mysoginy in the music industry

Britney Spears is a pop icon. The Grammy winner has sold more than 100 million records
worldwide. However, she is remembered by many as the woman who shaved her head
amidst a very public mental health crisis. More recently, Spears has become known as the
woman held under conservatorship by her father or as the subject of the increasing popular
#FreeBritney Movement. As The New York Times releases a new documentary exploring this
fascinating if concerning saga, important questions are raised over who controls the
narratives of successful women in the music industry.
In 2008 after a series on stints in hospital and metal health facilities, Jamie Spears placed
Britney Spears under a conservatorship. This meant he was in control of both her person
and her assets. Conservatorships are granted when the conservatee is no longer in a
position to make their own decisions. As Britney continued to have a successful and
lucrative career over the following 12 years, the extent to which Britney still adhered to
these conditions were questioned, giving rise to the #FreeBritney movement. The
conversation over the conservatorship was reignited in August 2020 when Britney
requested her father be removed from control, telling courts she was afraid of him. She lost
her case, and Jamie remains co-conservator.
Over the past 20+ years of Spears career, she has been the subject of much intrigue and
fascination. The Pop Princess who was not afraid of her sexuality, to the struggling mother
attacking paparazzi with an umbrella. These narratives have been thrust upon the star
ultimately in the pursuit of profit. Throughout the dramatic saga, magazines, media
organizations and even her father were able to profit off her suffering. And the more she
suffered, the more magazines sold, beginning a vicious cycle.
What is clear is the rampant misogyny that exists within the music industry. This misogyny is
reflected on the front pages of magazines and tabloids. Britney Spears was not a woman
struggling with mental health, but a popstar whose public outbursts were met gleefully by
those who could manipulate the story to be sold to the highest bidder. Some media figures
have apologised in light of the documentary. For example, Sarah Silverman has expressed
sorrow for the lack of recognition of the human behind the star.
Britney Spears is just one example of the music industries hostility towards successful
women. Taylor Swift has spoken out about the pressures from label executives to be a ‘nice
girl’. The press is then reliable in their documentation of various women’s attempt to
distance themselves from this restrictive trope. Notable examples being Miley Cyrus and
Lindsay Lohan. It is unfortunately a reoccurring struggle of women attempting to reclaim
their narrative in a bid to control the artist they are or want to be.
But what has changed? In the 12 years since Britney’s conservatorship, important
conversations over mental health have been introduced as it becomes less stigmatized. The
rise of social media has also shifted the power balance. Celebrities now control what they
share with the world. This has massively impacted the dominance of the tabloid press and

their monopoly over the narratives they project. The #FreeBritney movement has gained
momentum in the last few years with high profile stars pledging support such as Rose
McGowan and Miley Cyrus. Many who support the movement have taken to Spears’
Instagram to search for coded clues regarding her wellbeing. Despite good intentions,
concerns have been raised that #FreeBritney is only the latest narrative to be projected onto
Spears.
This new documentary offers a chance to reflect on the behaviour of the past as well as
draw attention to the ongoing battle over control of this woman’s life and livelihood.
However, one important voice remains absent in the documentary and that is of Britney
herself. The fact is that until she manages to tell her story, in her words, free from control or
manipulation, her narrative will remain unknown. What this documentary has done is
reawaken fans, the media and the public to not only Britney’s situation but the suffering we
all allowed her to be subject to. The suffering that was normalised every time a magazine
was sold, a joke made, or a blind eye turned. Perhaps that is what will be taken forward, an
agreement we will not allow this to happen again.