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Judge Expected to Formalize End of Britney Spears Guardianship

Des fans de Britney Spears rassemblés devant le tribunal de Stanley Mosk, le 29 septembre 2021 à Los Angeles, en Californie
Des fans de Britney Spears rassemblés devant le tribunal de Stanley Mosk, le 29 septembre 2021 à Los Angeles, en Californie
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Judge Expected to Formalize End of Britney Spears Guardianship

Des fans de Britney Spears rassemblés devant le tribunal de Stanley Mosk, le 29 septembre 2021 à Los Angeles, en Californie
Des fans de Britney Spears rassemblés devant le tribunal de Stanley Mosk, le 29 septembre 2021 à Los Angeles, en Californie

A Los Angeles judge is expected on Friday to formally approve the process of ending a controversial guardianship that has controlled pop star Britney Spears' life for the past 13 years.

The "Toxic" singer last month successfully had her father removed from the conservatorship -- which she has slammed as "abusive" -- and a temporary replacement of her choosing was appointed.

Judge Brenda Penny then also agreed to a request from Spears' lawyer to set another "short hearing" to formalize the "uncontested termination" of the conservatorship itself.

"This week is gonna be very interesting for me! I haven't prayed for something more in my life," Spears wrote in a now-deleted Instagram caption this week, AFP reported.

At last month's hearing, both sides voiced their support for swiftly ending the guardianship.

Confirming an earlier U-turn, lawyers for Britney's father Jamie in fact asked for it to be dissolved on the spot.

While denying he abused his position in control of his pop singer daughter's life and career, he has recently acknowledged that Britney "believes that she can handle her own life."

But Judge Penny consented to set a later date in order to allow Britney's lawyer Mathew Rosengart to present a comprehensive plan for the conservatorship's dissolution.

Another, later hearing in December is scheduled to settle outstanding financial issues, including legal fees.

- 'Free Britney' -

Friday's hearing could cap a years-long campaign by Spears and her legion of global fans to end a conservatorship that began after her highly public 2007 breakdown, when the shaven-headed star attacked a paparazzo's car at a gas station.

Now 39, Spears has said through her lawyers that her father was "never fit to serve," citing in one petition allegations of his "reported alcoholism" and "trauma he caused his daughter since her childhood."

As momentum has mounted, Spears said in a September filing that she wanted to end the guardianship as soon as possible so that she can marry her fiance Sam Asghari with a prenuptial agreement.

Spears has two children with former husband rapper Kevin Federline, and had a brief Las Vegas marriage to childhood friend Jason Alexander that was annulled after just 55 hours.

She has previously alleged in court that she had been prevented by her father from having a contraceptive IUD removed, despite wanting more children. Jamie Spears denied the allegation.

He was removed from the guardianship with immediate effect at last month's hearing, with accountant John Zabel installed to care for her finances until the scheme ends.

Professional conservator Jodie Montgomery officially remains responsible for Britney's person until December 31, although her role could be terminated on Friday.

It is not known if Spears will appear, or address the court via telephone as she did earlier this summer.

A raucous army of fans bearing "Free Britney" signs have been a regular fixture outside the downtown Los Angeles courthouse during hearings.

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How Lewis Hamilton and Apple Brought F1 Racing to the Movie Screen 

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari waves to the crowd on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Getty Images/AFP)
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari waves to the crowd on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Getty Images/AFP)
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How Lewis Hamilton and Apple Brought F1 Racing to the Movie Screen 

Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari waves to the crowd on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Getty Images/AFP)
Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari waves to the crowd on the drivers parade prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve on June 15, 2025 in Montreal, Quebec. (Getty Images/AFP)

Racing legend Lewis Hamilton, a producer on an upcoming movie starring Brad Pitt as a fictional Formula 1 driver, wanted the film to show the reality of what it looks, feels and sounds like to speed around a track at 200 miles per hour.

To avoid having Apple's "F1 The Movie" seem "faked" by Hollywood, Hamilton provided input on details such as when drivers should brake or shift gears. The film will be released in theaters by Warner Bros on June 27.

"I really wanted to make sure the authenticity was there, and it worked for both the younger and the older audience, and then making sure that the racing was true to what it is," Hamilton said in an interview with Reuters Television.

"All the other drivers, all the teams, are relying on me to make sure that it does," the seven-time world champion added.

In the movie, Pitt plays a driver who comes out of retirement to mentor a young hotshot portrayed by Damson Idris. Co-stars include Javier Bardem and Kerry Condon.

Portions of the film were shot during real-life F1 events in Abu Dhabi, Mexico City and other Grand Prix stops. The filmmakers would shoot on the tracks during short breaks in the races. Pitt and Idris drove themselves in professional race cars at high speeds.

Before filming started, Hamilton said he met with Pitt at a racetrack in Los Angeles so he could size up the actor's driving skills.

"I really wanted to see, can you actually drive?" Hamilton said. A longtime motorcycle rider and racing fan, Pitt showed a baseline ability at that point that made Hamilton comfortable.

"He already had the knack," Hamilton said, which the actor further developed through weeks of intense training. "He really went in deep," Hamilton said.

"F1" was directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the team that put together the thrilling fighter-jet scenes in 2022 blockbuster film "Top Gun: Maverick."

For "F1," they needed new cameras that would work in race cars, which can be slowed down by extra weight.

Producing partner Apple, which began releasing movies in 2019, was able to help.

The company used some of its iPhone technology to adapt a camera system typically used in real F1 cars during TV broadcasts. The hardware looked like a traditional F1 camera but delivered the high-resolution video that the filmmakers wanted for the big screen.

"This movie was just a great example of putting the whole of the company behind a movie," Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said. "We designed the camera that went into the car to capture the incredible driving experience. It makes you feel like you're actually sitting in the car and experiencing what Brad is experiencing."

Cook said he felt the movie showcased the athleticism required to rise to the elite ranks of F1 driving. Hamilton said he had encouraged more examples of the sport's physical challenges. Drivers can lose five or 10 pounds, he said, from the exertion during a race.

"You have to be able to show that part of it. You're training. You're conditioning your body," Hamilton said. "The car, it beats you up."