Perez Hilton has criticised the documentary Framing Britney Spears, saying it’s just another example of her being ‘exploited’ by the media for profit.
The celebrity blogger, whose coverage of Britney’s life on his website PerezHilton.com has drawn criticism from her fans, said the filmmakers were no worse than the tabloid press that documented her downfall.
Perez, 42, told KIIS FM’s Jase & PJ In The Morning on Wednesday the film by The New York Times was ‘exploitative’ and not journalistic.
Having his say: Perez Hilton has criticised the documentary Framing Britney Spears, saying it’s just another example of her being ‘exploited’ by the media for profit. Pictured in March 2020
‘Part of me feels like the documentary is a for-profit venture. It’s about ratings disguised as investigative journalism,’ he said.
Perez claimed there was ‘no new information’ in the documentary, and also noted that it didn’t include an on-the-record interview with Britney herself.
‘It’s just a regurgitation and a re-framing of the past. To me it almost feels like it is exploiting Britney all over again,’ he said.
‘It’s exploiting Britney again’: The celebrity blogger, whose coverage of Britney’s life on his website PerezHilton.com has drawn criticism from her fans, said the filmmakers were no worse than the tabloid press that documented her downfall
Elsewhere his Jase & PJ interview, Perez claimed was not a ‘prisoner’ under the terms of her conservatorship, which has been overseen by her father, Jamie, for 12 years.
‘I know for a fact if she wanted to speak she could. She’s not a prisoner in her house,’ he said.
Perez also said there were numerous examples of Britney being spotted by the paparazzi in public last year.
He explained; ‘Yes, her life is controlled. Yes, things have to be controlled by the conservatorship.
‘But if she were to say, “I want to go shopping in Beverly Hills,” the conservator would arrange that for her and her bodyguards.’
Hitting out: Perez, 42, told KIIS FM’s Jase & PJ In The Morning on Wednesday the film by The New York Times was ‘exploitative’ and not journalistic
Perez said the conservatorship was also for the sake of Britney’s teenage children, Sean, 15, and Jayden, 14, whom she shares with Kevin Federline.
He went on to dispute claims made by Britney’s fans that she is reading from a script in her Instagram videos and is secretly signalling for help.
‘I know her well enough to know she won’t say things she doesn’t believe in,’ he said.
Conspiracy theory: He went on to dispute claims made by Britney’s fans that she is reading from a script in her Instagram videos and is secretly signalling for help
‘I’m curious to hear from Britney herself. I don’t think we will see her out of the conservatorship for another five years or so,’ he said.
Framing Britney Spears, directed by Samantha Stark, was made in association with The New York Times.
The documentary aired in Australia on Channel Nine on Tuesday night.
Film: Framing Britney Spears, directed by Samantha Stark, was made in association with The New York Times. The documentary aired in Australia on Channel Nine on Tuesday night
Aussies watching at home expressed their anger on Twitter, with many saying it was ‘disgusting’ and ‘heartbreaking’ to watch.
‘The #FramingBritneySpears documentary is so disturbing, how she was treated by the paparazzi and media was disgusting,’ one fan tweeted.
‘Heartbreaking to see how someone growing up was treated this way in public,’ another added.
A third viewer said the documentary was ‘eye-opening’, while a fourth thanked Channel Nine for airing the film Down Under.
‘I am crying already’: Aussies watching at home expressed their anger on Twitter, with many saying it was ‘disgusting’ and ‘heartbreaking’ to watch
The #FreeBritney movement has seen fans lobbying for the pop star to be released from her conservatorship, which has been in place since 2008.
Her main conservator is her father, Jamie Spears, who has control of her business affairs due to concerns for her mental health.
The conservatorship was put into place after Britney began showing signs of mental illness during her public breakdown in 2007 and was admitted for psychiatric care.
Resurgence: The #FreeBritney movement has gathered pace in recent weeks following the release of the documentary The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears
Arrangement: Britney’s main conservator is her father, Jamie Spears (left), who has control of her business affairs due to concerns for her mental health. The conservatorship was put into place after she began showing signs of mental illness during her public breakdown in 2007