BRITNEY “CRY FOR HELP”

Is Britney Spears OK? Sources reveal why loved ones are worried she’s headed for another breakdown

Those closest to Britney Spears worry her recent alarming behavior is an indication she’s on the cusp of another breakdown.

As news began to spread that people close to Britney Spears had planned a lifesaving intervention over concerns about her health and mental state, the pop star took to social media to set the record straight. “This week in the news it said that I almost died,” she wrote in a Feb. 10 Instagram post, referencing reports that loved ones were rallying together because they were worried she was in crisis. “I’m very much alive and well,” she said in an accompanying video, in which she wore a cropped pink blouse, white miniskirt, matching boots and a fur cape. “I’m happy, and I’m well, and that’s it.”

According to multiple insiders, the intervention was all set until Spears caught wind of it and shut it down. One source says it was a last resort for members of her inner circle, who are increasingly fearful that the singer, 41, has lost her way since her 13-year conservatorship ended in November 2021. “Those around Britney have tried to give her as much freedom as possible,” says the first source, noting that her husband, Sam Asghari,

28, was “aware” of the intervention although not “directly involved” in the planning. “But her behavior has been erratic and unpredictable.” Adds a second source: “She’s a ball of nervous energy and is constantly on edge. There are some serious fears for her safety and her overall well-being.”

TOO MUCH FREEDOM?

Fans and members of the #FreeBritney movement were elated when Spears’ conservatorship was terminated. It had been put into place in 2008 following Spears’ very public mental breakdown, during which she was placed on a psychiatric hold at the UCLA Medical Center twice and infamously shaved her head. In 2020, Spears filed to have her father, Jamie — who’d been given full control of her life, including her career and finances — removed as conservator; she later testified that Jamie wouldn’t let her get married and had forced her to stay on birth control so she wouldn’t have more children.

At first, Spears appeared to be thriving on her own. But she’s been acting out more and more and refusing to stick to safety protocols that were put in place during the conservatorship. “She’s been having some manic episodes,” notes the first source. The second source says she hasn’t been taking care of herself. “Britney’s got insomnia issues, and she’ll stay up all night fixated on social media, reading comments to see what people are saying about her,” the second source explains. “She gets easily frustrated and is constantly going off over little things. She’s very vulnerable.”

LOYAL HUSBAND

Asghari is trying his best to help — but it hasn’t been easy. “Britney depends on Sam so much, and he’s the one on the receiving end of her moods most of the time,” says the second source. “Sam is protective and loving and sympathetic, but he needs more space than he gets.”

A third source says Spears takes all of her stress out on Asghari. “She’s emotionally abusive,” states the source. “She tells Sam that without her, he would be nothing.” The pair suffered a miscarriage in May 2022, one month before their wedding.

“Britney is constantly saying that she shouldn’t have married Sam and that she lost the baby because he is never home,” shares the source, who notes Spears keeps Asghari on a tight leash. “Sam is young and wants to hang out with his buddies and his family,” explains the source, adding that a volatile Spears is like a ticking time bomb. “She’s gone through about 12 bodyguards who have either quit or been fired since the conservatorship ended.”

Despite the chaos, sources say Asghari won’t leave Spears. “He stands behind Britney no matter what and will always take her side,” says the first source. “He takes his vow to stand by her in sickness and in health seriously.”

LAST-DITCH EFFORT

Loved ones are hoping she’ll get the help she desperately needs. The first source says Spears was “very angry” when she found out about the intervention — but she did agree to meet with a doctor. “She had some tests to figure out what’s going on,” explains the first source. “People just want to understand what’s going on with her.” For now, the second source says her forthcoming memoir is “in limbo” while she’s considering getting back into the studio. “She goes back and forth about making music again,” adds the source.

Loved ones may need to force another intervention soon. “They want Britney to face her demons and get better,” continues the second source. “Something drastic needs to occur — quickly — for that to happen.”