Britney Spears Addresses Rumors That She’s Being Held Against Her Will In A Mental Health Facility

Weeks after checking into a mental health facility, Britney Spears took to social media to address rumors about her well-being and respond to what she described as death threats against those close to her.

The 37-year-old pop star checked into the facility in early April amid rumors of her father’s declining health. Still, while anonymous sources have reported to some outlets that Spears simply needed time to focus on her own health, a number of her fans began to insist that the singer was being held captive against her will, spawning the “FreeBritney” hashtag on Twitter and real-life protests.

Spears took to Instagram on Tuesday to debunk the rumors and to assure her fans that “all is well” in a brief Instagram video.

“Hi guys, just checking in with all of you who are concerned about me,” she said. “All is well. My family has been going through a lot of stress and anxiety lately, so I just needed time to deal.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll be back very soon,” she finished.

In the accompanying caption, Spears addressed rumors about her health, stating that the “things that are being said have just gotten out of control.”

“There’s rumors, death threats to my family and my team, and just so many things crazy things being said. I am trying to take a moment for myself, but everything that’s happening is just making it harder for me,” she wrote. “Don’t believe everything you read and hear.”

Spears went on to mention her former manager Sam Lufti and claim that he was responsible for “fake emails” before assuring her fans that she is currently “doing what’s best at this moment.”  

“You may not know this about me, but I am strong, and stand up for what I want!” she continued. “Your love and dedication is amazing, but what I need right now is a little bit of privacy to deal with all the hard things that life is throwing my way. If you could do that, I would be forever grateful. Love you.”

Speculation regarding Spears’ mental health took a dramatic turn earlier this week, when a number of fans met outside of West Hollywood City Hall bearing #FreeBritney signs and calling for her release, Entertainment Tonight reports. Claims that Spears is being held captive have not been supported with evidence, and the singer has been spotted voluntarily leaving the facility a number of times since being admitted, according to the outlet.

She previously put a hold on performing in January in order to focus on supporting her family amid her father’s health struggles. Jamie Spears’ colon ruptured suddenly in November, leading to multiple surgeries, Page Six reports.

The pop princess revealed in an Instagram post on January her decision to halt her Las Vegas residency, explaining the importance of putting family first.

“A couple of months ago, my father was hospitalized and almost died,” she wrote. “We’re all so grateful that he came out of it alive, but he still has a long road ahead of him. I had to make the difficult decision to put my full focus and energy on my family at this time.”