Dolly Parton Shares Thoughts On Britney Spears’ Conservatorship Battle

screenshot britney spears dolly parton in christmas on the square
(Image credit: Britney Spears YouTube / Netflix)

In the months following the Hulu documentary centered on her life, Britney Spears has steadily become more vocal about her conservatorship. She wants out of it or, at the very least, wants her father Jamie Spears to be removed as co-conservator over her finances. Her new lawyer is already on the case, with filings in court to permanently remove the dadager. Of late, though, country music singer Dolly Parton has weighed in on her contemporary’s legal battle.

Dolly Parton often has a Dollyism or two of positive words to spare, as Kim Kardashian knows. Well, now Britney Spears knows it, too. When asked about Spears’s ongoing conservatorship battle, Parton told Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live:

Well, I try to not get involved in other people's business. I think she is a wonderful artist and I think she's a wonderful girl, and I only wish her the best.

The country music icon isn't the only one rooting for Britney Spears. Celebrities like Christina Aguilera and Paris Hilton have publicly voiced their support for the singer, as rumors continue to circulate that an A-List team is squadding up to help fight the conservatorship. Even recently, Spears’ co-conservator over her personal matters, Jodi Montgomery, filed documents in court that second the notion that Jamie Spears should be removed from his position.

As for Dolly Parton, who's an EGOT by nominations if not by wins, she empathizes with Britney Spears in her ongoing legal troubles because she's had her share before as well. She said:

And I understand all those crazy things. I went through a lot of that myself, through a big lawsuit in my early days with Porter Wagoner, trying to get out on my own. So I understand where she's coming from and how she feels. So I hope that all turns out the way that it should.

The lawsuit Dolly Parton is referring to isn't exactly a conservatorship case but still dealt with someone very close to her. According to Taste of Country, Parton’s beef with Porter Wagoner began when they were in the same band of the 1960s and 70s. Apparently, Parton wouldn't put up with Wagoner's supposed chauvinistic tendencies, and she left the band in 1974. At which point, Wagoner sued her for breach of contract, which eventually got settled in court.

Though the details were different in Dolly Parton’s case, it is still reminiscent of the contentious and personal dynamic happening currently in Britney Spears’ conservatorship. Spears has stated that her father is overworking her and even likened the situation to a “sex trafficking” ring. Furthermore, Spears has begun publicly feuding with little sister Jamie Lynn Spears, with insinuations flying that the Zoey 101 star was one of the people closest to her who left her "drowning" under the conservatorship.

The fight over the conservatorship is still ongoing. But for Britney Spears or anyone else in a tough row, it doesn’t hurt to listen to the always wise words of Dolly Parton: “I never tried quitting and I never quit trying.”

Lauren Vanderveen
Movies and TV News Writer

Freelance writer. Favs: film history, reality TV, astronomy, French fries.