Britney Spears's adorable inability to keep a secret from her fans, and tendency to wear her heart on her sleeve, is what many love most about her. The music star, 40, likes to share her thoughts and feelings with the world - and this openness has only increased since the dissolution of her controversial legal conservatorship back in September last year. The "One More Time..." singer has been telling the world about just about everything - her joy at finding love again with fiancé (or husband?) Sam Ashgari, her excitement about having a new baby, and her relief at now being in control of her own destiny. This week, however, things seem to have accelerated to a whole new level of oversharing. Britney decided to share nude photos of herself with her 41 million Instagram followers, and the world at large. The 'photo dump', as she called it, has divided fans, and left many concerned for the vulnerable star's welfare.
So why have these risqué photos been upsetting Britney's fanbase? Read on to find out.
8 What Did Britney Spears Do?
In a series of three separate posts released yesterday, Britney shared nude photos of herself in a range of different poses - with her breasts and genitals covered by her hands and emojis. Along with the images, the singer shared what appeared to be confident, body-positive captions, which read:
'Photo dump of the last time I was in Mexico BEFORE there was a baby 👶🏼 inside me … why the heck do I look 10 years younger on vacation 🏖☀️ ??'
'I love you all SSSSSSSSSOOOOOOOOOO much 💋💋💋 !!!!'
And lastly: 'Don’t underestimate the power of doing it myself and shooting with a selfie stick 🤳🏻 !!! Photo dump before there was a child 👶🏼 inside me 😜 !!!'
7 The Posts Were A Sensation
Immediately, Britney's images went viral. Twitter was awash with users commenting on the revealing photos, and news outlets around the world picked up on the posts. The first group of images Britney shared have already amassed 1.2m likes on Instagram, and hundreds of thousands of comments.
Britney herself appeared unfazed by the reaction, and later posted a video of herself in a favorite dress performing catwalk poses.
6 Many Britney Spears Fans Were Thrilled With The Photos
In the comments of her Instagram photos, many fans rushed to congratulate Britney - cheering her on.
'If this is what makes Britney feel free and gorgeous then that’s that + I support!! Be free beauty queen,' said one user.
'FREENEY!!' said another.
5 Others, However, Were Not So Thrilled
Alongside the positive comments, however, were immediate concerns for Britney's welfare.
'oh my goodness britney,' wrote one shocked fan.
'So sad, Britney needs help. Disappointing that some of her fans are giving positive feedback, encouraging these posts,' said another worried user.
4 One Fan Suggested Britney Had Cheapened Herself
One simply thought Britney had cheapened herself by sharing these images on Instagram: 'We love you Britney. Like from the bottom of our hearts. But, can you please stop doing this? You are BRITNEY F—KING SPEARS and you should be posing for magazines raking in millions for pics like these! This Instagram stuff is cheap and so beneath you. Please stop it.'
3 Many Became Concerned For Britney Spears's Mental Health
'I’m literally genuinely concerned for @britneyspears now, what the hell?! Her insta is a massive concern,' said one Twitter user.
'She's crying out for help,' said another.
'She proves over and over again why she needs to be cared for.. those that think she's normal have lost it themselves,' said an Instagram user.
Some went so far as to question whether Britney's photo sharing was a sign that her conservatorship had in fact been in her best interest, and had been in place to keep her 'safe' and 'away from her demons.'
2 And Some Wondered Where Fiancé Sam Asghari Was In All This
Some from Britney's fanbase were concerned that her fiancé Sam was not looking out for her, and was in fact actively allowing Britney to embarrass herself online. With Sam liking one of the posts, many interpreted it as being complicit in the photo release.
'When will people start caring about Britney Spears? The look in her eyes always said it all. No matter how hard Sam Asghari, Instagram captions and Rosengart try to push for the "All Is Well" agenda, her eyes says something wrong is going on!' said BritneyIsNotFree.
One Instagram commenter theorized that Sam encouraged her to do this on purpose to help the cause for reinstating her conservatorship, explaining: 'Sam is the inside man for her family and everyone involved and he’s still drugging her making it seem like she needs to be in a conservatorship, and adding 'This is not a free woman to me. Someone should check on her.'
One simply stated: 'The conservatorship made a lot of sense.'
1 But Many Defended Britney Spears's Mindset
In response to these many concerns, Twitter users came out in droves to defend Britney's photos. They claimed the snaps were both a sign of her happiness and independence, and also none of anybody else's business - accusing those concerned for her welfare of outright hypocrisy.
'Remember when Kim Kardashian posted a nude selfie & was praised for it but yet Britney Spears does it and she needs help? It's no wonder this poor girl has breakdowns. Why is she constantly held to a different standard? Let her do WTF she wants!' said one fan.
'Britney Spears fans can shut the hell up! It’s her body, her camera, and she can do as she damn well pleases. She hasn’t felt liberation in almost two decades, if she wants to use her newfound freedom to post nudes good for her!' said another.
'I don’t know the status of Britney Spears’ mental health, and you don’t either. But the first thing that pops out when she posts a nude or whatever is weird statements about her mental health.'
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