Taryn Manning last graced the screen with her pal Britney Spears back in 2002 for their coming-of-age cult classic Crossroads.
But the Virginia-born actress still holds her former co-star and current friend close to her heart, amid Britney’s conservatorship battle.
She posted a throwback photo and a heartfelt message Friday to Instagram, showing her support for her friend, but calling out the #FreeBritney movement.
Supportive friend: Taryn Manning posted a throwback photo and a heartfelt message Friday to Instagram, showing her support for her friend Britney Spears, but calling out the #FreeBritney movement
The 41-year-old shared a still from Crossroads of herself, Britney, 38, and their co-stars Zoe Saldana, 42, and Anson Mount, 47, writing: ‘Such a wonderful time with this crew!’
She continued: ‘Britney I know you’re strong af and have your own brain and thought process. To me you look happy and like you’re having a blast! Keep up the happy posts and your faith in Jesus Christ. How about instead of #freebritney we say #GodIsWatchingOverBritney
‘How about let’s give this wonderful woman the dignity she deserves and earned. Until you know the facts stop speculating and perpetuating the father of lies. We all know she’s under a type of control that’s unfair and things will be fixed. Have faith. Wish her well! Send good vibes of no fear! Please! #alldarknesscomestolight’
The #FreeBritney movement has recently re-emerged, as fans have spread some conspiracy theories based on presumed subliminal messages in her Instagram content.
Throwback vibes: The 41-year-old shared a still from Crossroads of herself, Britney, 38, and their co-stars Zoe Saldana, 42, and Anson Mount, 47, writing: ‘Such a wonderful time with this crew!’ (pictured in January, 2020)
Keep the faith: She continued: ‘Britney I know you’re strong af and have your own brain and thought process. To me you look happy and like you’re having a blast! Keep up the happy posts and your faith in Jesus Christ’
But a source recently told TMZ that she isn’t being held against her will, and the conservatorship is what’s best for her.
The insider said: ‘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.’
Britney also appeared to deny the rumors last week on Instagram, writing: ‘I get how some people might not like my posts or even understand them, but this is Me being happy ….. this is Me being authentic and as real as it gets !!!!!
‘I want to inspire people to do the same and just be themselves without pleasing others ….. that’s the key to happiness !!!!!!’
Meanwhile, a Change.org petition has nearly garnered 200,000 signatures to let her hire a lawyer to get her out of her conservatorship.
Best for Britney: A source recently told TMZ that Britney isn’t being held against her will, and the conservatorship is what’s best for her
#FreeBritney: Meanwhile, a Change.org petition has nearly garnered 200,000 signatures to let her hire a lawyer to get her out of her conservatorship
Mama’s girl: Although it’s unclear whether Britney will be afforded a lawyer of her own, she reportedly requested for her mother Lynne, 65, to be part of the conservatorship (pictured in February, 2000)
The petition reads: ‘Since 2008 Britney Spears has been held in a conservatorship, this gives her conservator (Jamie Spears) full control over her life, body and finances/estate. Conservatorships are typically used for SEVERELY mentally ill individuals or people in comas.
‘Having been on 3 world tours with dangerous flying and fire stunts, it’s safe to say she is sane enough to feed and clothe herself. With this conservatorship, she is unable to properly fight for her freedom as she isn’t legally allowed to hire her own lawyer. We need this petition so that Britney can hire her own lawyer and live a normal life as a 38-year-old woman with two kids.’
Although it’s unclear whether Britney will be afforded a lawyer of her own, she reportedly requested for her mother Lynne, 65, to be part of the conservatorship.
A source told ET: ‘Britney trusts Lynne and has asked her mother to be part of her conservatorship. She truly believes that her mother wants to help her have more autonomy when it comes to her money.
‘Britney is aware that how she is doing psychologically seems to directly correlate to her spending habits. She knows right now she might not be ready to be in complete control but she wants more freedom to spend how she pleases.’
Against her will: The #FreeBritney movement gained traction last March, after she entered a psychiatric facility, which many believed to be against her will (pictured in July, 2019)
Court date: Her father Jamie, 68, stepped down as her conservator back in September, and her care manager Jodi Montgomery took over as a temporary conservator, with the next hearing postponed to September, amid COVID-19
The #FreeBritney movement gained traction last March, after she entered a psychiatric facility, which many believed to be against her will.
After fans protested outside of West Hollywood City Hall the next month, Britney took to Instagram to assure them ‘all is well.’
Her father Jamie, 68, stepped down as her conservator back in September, and her care manager Jodi Montgomery took over as a temporary conservator, with the next hearing postponed to September, amid COVID-19.
The latest #FreeBritney resurgence was sparked after Kanye West’s bipolar disorder and past opioid abuse came up amid his bizarre presidential bid, highlighting a double standard around gender and mental health.
One fan tweeted: ‘A man has a mental breakdown, he runs for president. A woman has a mental breakdown, she’s stripped of all basic rights. Kanye’s a joke and #FreeBritney. I hate Hollywood.’
Double standard: The latest #FreeBritney resurgence was sparked after Kanye West’s bipolar disorder and past opioid abuse came up amid his bizarre presidential bid, highlighting a double standard around gender and mental health (pictured in October, 2018)