Britney Spears has shared some insights into her reasons for posting a string of nude photos on Instagram in recent days, stating she is now a "free woman."
The pop icon, 40, has shared a plethora of images of herself frolicking on the beach topless and completely nude as she vacations in French Polynesia with her fiancé, Sam Asghari, in celebration of his upcoming 28th birthday.
With multiple red roses serving as a caption for each of the uploads, very little context was given as to why the "Toxic" singer had opted to pose in a state of undress.
On Tuesday, the Louisiana-raised star returned to the image-sharing platform to post throwback photos of herself in a rhinestone-covered dress.
Explaining her previous posts in an accompanying caption, she wrote: "Alrightyyy then folks ... showing my bod in French Polynesia as a rebel and free WOMAN !!!!!"
In January, Spears was defended by a number of fans for previous nude Instagram posts, with many noting that she was celebrating being free from the constraints of her controversial 13-year conservatorship.
The agreement, which was put into place in 2008 amid mental health concerns, saw the mother of two's personal and financial decisions taken out of her hands from its inception until a judge ruled in November 2021 that it could be dissolved.
Her father, Jamie Spears, was at the helm of both of the financial and personal branches of the conservatorship. Citing health reasons, he stepped down from the personal arm in 2019. He was suspended from the arrangement altogether in September, amid accusations of misconduct—allegations he has consistently denied.
Over the summer—several weeks after Britney Spears' June court testimony, in which she spoke out about her experiences under the conservatorship—the star also posted images of herself posing semi-nude.
Explaining her posts, she wrote on Instagram back in August: "I bet you're wondering why I'd expose my body NOW ... well it's because I was born into this world naked and I honestly feel like the weight of the would has been on my shoulders and it's made me view myself that way !!!!
"I wanted to see myself in a lighter way ... naked ... like the way I was born and to me looking back at my pictures when I shoot it's insane the psychology in seeing myself in my purest form gives evidence that pain ... hurt ... tears ... and heavy burdens aren't who I am.
"I am a woman .... a beautiful ... sensitive woman who needs to look at myself in my purest form !!! No ... I'm not going to do topless pics for the rest of my life cause that would get boring but it sure as hell helps when you need to be enlightened !!!!"
Elsewhere in her post on Tuesday, Spears discussed her love of Chanel makeup, as she explained that it was what she was wearing in the throwback photo she had shared.
"I've always been a frugal buyer," she wrote. "If its absolutely amazing I will spend money on it but the way I was raised I've always been very conscious with what I spend !!!!
"I just realized TODAY ... TUESDAY, MARCH 1 ... the only makeup I used to wear was @chanelofficial !!!! [...] ANYWAYS .... LAST NIGHT I BOUGHT MY MAKEUP AND I'M EXCITED BECAUSE IN THE PIC ABOVE I'M WEARING ONLY CHANEL MAKEUP !!!!"
She concluded: "I'm sure there are a lot of other brands that can do the trick but I remember this one made me feel absolutely beautiful !!!! To the makeup artist who gave it to me ... THANK YOU !!!!"
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Ryan Smith is a Newsweek Senior Pop Culture and Entertainment Reporter based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on ... Read more
