Throughout much of 2019, a throng of Britney Spears' fans posted conspiracy theories claiming that the pop star was somehow under duress and being held against her will. The movement became known as #FreeBritney.
The movement is now back with a vengeance, as fans are again convinced that Britney is covertly sending signals on Instagram to indicate that she's being held captive.
For the past few weeks, Britney has been extremely active on Instagram, often posting images while wearing similar outfits. She's also posted multiple dancing videos and images of flowers. All these factors have fans concerned, and they've now implored her to send coded messages (believing that she can't outwardly ask for help).
TMZ noted that fans told Britney to "wear black if you need help," and "wear pink if you are in trouble." In a bizarre dancing video posted July 14, Britney wore pink shorts with black polka dots.
The comments section of Britney's Instagram has since been flooded by the #FreeBritney battalion. Some fans, including "Jersey Shore" star Snooki, claimed comments were getting deleted, which only further convinced some that Brit needs to somehow be rescued from her current situation.
In another video posted that same day, fans felt that Britney spelled out "NO" with her fingers to indicate that she's not okay. She also crossed her arms in an "X" at one point, which the movement interpreted as a cry for help. Some say she's often using the "illuminati eye symbol" in her dances to drive the point home.
Fans have asked her to "wink" or "wear black" or give other subtle hints to indicate whether she's in danger. On July 15, she wore black, sending fans into overdrive.
Much like they did last year, fans are suggesting that her conservatorship, which has been led by her father Jamie Spears for more than 12 years, is holding her against her will. Last year, the "Toxic" singer fanned the #FreeBritney flames when she told a judge that Jamie committed her to a mental health facility against her will and also forced her to take drugs.
As fans demanded answers in the comments section, TMZ reported on Friday that Britney is not being held captive but rather "struggling" with mental illness. The webloid said Brit's medication stopped working and doctors have been trying to find the right combination to properly treat her — but to no avail thus far.
Britney, TMZ says, has "not been easy to deal with … she sometimes complains she wants more freedom. Short story — she hasn't been especially stable managing her mental illness."
In fact, there are several in Britney's camp who think the conservatorship may never end, which they claim is a good thing.
A source close to Britney told TMZ, "These people who are screaming for the conservatorship to end, well if that happened and she hurt herself or died 2 weeks after would these people utter a peep? No way."
Further complicating the issue, Britney and her father have had virtually no contact since he was accused of putting his hands on her teenage son Sean last August.