Culture September 2, 2022

Britney Spears' son Jayden speaks out on relationship with famous mother

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Britney Spears' teenage son Jayden is speaking out about his estranged relationship with his famous mother.

In a recent interview with ITV, the 15-year-old, who said he spoke on behalf of himself and his brother Preston, 16, said he's optimistic their bond can be repaired.

"I 100% think it can be fixed, of course. It's just going to take a lot of time and effort," Jayden said. "I really want to see her again."

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Spears' life changed in a big way nearly a year ago when her 13-year conservatorship was terminated in November 2021, following intense public scrutiny.

Since then, she has married now-husband Sam Asghari and released her first new music in six years, "Hold Me Closer," a duet with Elton John. One thing has noticeably been absent from her life, though: her kids.

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Britney Spears with sons Sean Federline, and Jayden James Federline attend the premiere of Columbia Pictures' 'Smurfs 2' at Regency Village Theatre, July 28, 2013, in Westwood, Calif.

Of his mother's conservatorship, Jayden said, "Maybe the conservatorship did go [on] for a little too long -- probably why my mom was very angry about the whole situation because she felt as if she was working for too long, which I personally think yeah, she was."

In June 2021, Spears gave public testimony and pleaded with a judge to end her conservatorship, saying at the time, "I just want my life back."

The Grammy winner said during the hearing that she had been "traumatized" and "depressed" due to the conservatorship, telling the court, "I cry every day."

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"I've lied and told the whole world I'm OK and I'm happy. It's a lie," she said, saying she believed that if she said this enough times it might come true. "I've been in denial. I've been in shock. I am traumatized. I'm not happy. I can't sleep. I'm so angry it's insane. And I'm depressed. I cry every day."

Jayden also said he and Preston had conflicted feelings about their mother's social media usage, particularly with regards to the revealing photos of herself that she shares on Instagram.

Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, FILE
Britney Spears arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood," on July 22, 2019.

"It's almost like she has to post something on Instagram to get attention," he said. "This has gone on for years and years and years, and there's a high chance that this is never going to really stop, but I'm hoping for me, maybe she will."

The boys currently reside with their father and their siblings. Federline has two children with wife Victoria as well as two older children from a previous relationship with actress Shar Jackson. Jayden called the home a "safe place" for him and Preston to "process all the emotional trauma that we've been through."

Spears responds to Jayden's interview

The "Lucky" singer posted a lengthy response to Jayden's comments Thursday via Instagram, not long after the interview was posted online, writing that it "deeply saddens" her that she "wasn't up to his expectations of a mother."

Spears expressed her hope that Jayden and Preston would have a face-to-face chat with her one day. "My love for my children has no boundaries," she wrote.

"If you could pause for a second, remember where you came from !!! I hope you can look in the mirror and remember… you are my child and always will be !!!" she continued. "Since Preston didn't speak, I send my love !!!"

Spears also shared a simple message for her boys.

"...You and your brother both are brilliant," she wrote, "and I'm so proud to call you both mine."