Some Britney Spears’ fans are worried for the singer after recent posts she made on Instagram.
On her 43rd birthday Tuesday, the singer shared videos on the social media website in which she said she’s moved to Mexico and that she’s turning 5 years old and starting kindergarten. USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Spears for clarification.
These posts − as well others, like one last year in which she appeared to dance with knives − have sparked mixed reactions from Spears’ fans, including concern. Therapists say these reactions are normal and to be expected. After all, Spears is a beloved celebrity, and her fans care deeply about her wellbeing; however, her mental health has also long been a topic of deep, and oftentimes inappropriate, scrutiny and speculation.
Spears’ posts and fans’ reactions to them raise an important question: What is the right way to share concern about someone, especially someone you’ve never met? And how can Spears’ fans best support her?
“Because we are caring, empathic humans, we’re going to be concerned about someone − and that’s OK,” psychotherapist Stephanie Sarkis says. “I think if it’s becoming too consuming, and it’s causing you to not be able to engage in regular daily life, then maybe it’s time to evaluate, talk to somebody.”
One reason why fans feel particularly protective over Spears is because of the legal battle to free her from her conservatorship, which played out in headlines and inspired rallies and protests in her support. The pop star was placed under a conservatorship at the age of 26 in 2008 after suffering a public breakdown the year prior that played out before the paparazzi, who captured her erratic behavior.
