IT’S been five years since Britney Spears was released from her conservatorship following the Free Britney campaign, but insiders say the pop superstar is more lost than ever.
In recent months alone Britney, 44, has been arrested for a DUI and faced accusations of bizarre behaviour including making barking sounds at a restaurant and brandishing a knife.
It’s a far cry from the 16-year-old who took over the world in 1998 with her debut single Baby One More Time, which catapulted her to instant worldwide fame.
She should be living life on her own terms after 14 years under the heavy surveillance of her dad Jamie Spears. But The Sun understands that couldn’t be further from the truth.
An insider said: “Some people close to Britney can’t help wondering whether she’s actually happier now than she was then.
“The sad reality is that she seems incredibly isolated. She spends most of her time at home and her world has become smaller and smaller over the years.
“Those around her would love to see her thriving, but instead they worry she’s become increasingly detached from everyone else.”
In 2023, Britney split from her third husband Sam Asghari – less than a year after tying the knot – and we’re told the break-up had a huge impact on the mum-of-two.
She shares Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19, with ex-husband Kevin Federline and has struggled with a strained relationship with her sons for years.
Our source said: “The divorce hit her hard and she hasn’t appeared to find the stability or companionship she craves and desperately needs.
“Her relationship with her sons has also been a source of sadness over the years, and those closest to her know how much that weighs on her.
“People are worried rather than reassured, especially when they see her on social media. The videos and posts leave people concerned and scratching their heads, it looks like we’re seeing someone who is still struggling.”
Despite being one of the best-selling music artists of all time, Britney left fans gutted in 2022 when she insisted she’ll “probably never perform again”.
She said on social media at the time: “I’m pretty traumatized for life and yes I’m p****d as f**k and no I probably won’t perform again just because I’m stubborn and I will make my point.”
And it’s the lack of ambition for performing – something she once thrived on – that has pals seriously concerned and wondering what she’ll do with her life if she doesn’t return to the stage.
“The overwhelming feeling among those who care about her is sadness,” our insider said. “Nobody is questioning her right to live life on her own terms, but there are fears that she’s still searching for happiness and hasn’t found the peace that everyone hoped freedom would bring.
“They look at Britney and see a woman who appears deeply lonely, increasingly disconnected and still trying to find her place in the world all these years later.”