Kevin Federline is asserting that the #FreeBritney movement, while perhaps well-intentioned, ultimately caused more harm than good for his ex-wife, Britney Spears. The 47-year-old dancer and television personality makes these claims in his forthcoming memoir, You Thought You Knew, which is set to be released on Tuesday, October 21.
Excerpts from the book, published by The New York Times on Tuesday, October 14, reveal Federline’s concerns. He suggests that the energy once dedicated to the #FreeBritney campaign should now shift to a "Save Britney" movement. "Because this is no longer about freedom," Federline writes. "It’s about survival."
Federline argues that fans "vilified" Spears’ estranged father and former conservator, Jamie Spears, 73. This occurred after the 43-year-old pop star described her 13-year conservatorship as "abusive" in court in 2021. A Los Angeles judge terminated the legal arrangement months later.
He expresses worry that those currently around Britney cannot intervene without facing similar public backlash. Federline fears this could prevent necessary support.
"The truth is, this situation with Britney seems to be heading for something irreversible," Federline states in his book, referencing Spears’ recent erratic social media behavior. "It has become impossible to pretend that everything is fine. From where I stand, time is running out and we are approaching the final hour. Something bad will happen if things don’t change, and my biggest fear is that our children will be the ones to pick up the pieces."
Britney Spears and Kevin Federline were married from 2004 to 2007. They share two sons, Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19. Jamie Spears initiated his daughter’s conservatorship less than a year after her divorce from Federline was finalized, following a public crisis.
Now that Spears can make her own decisions, Federline is appealing to those "once moved" by the "Toxic" singer to support her children. He acknowledges he does not know the "perfect solution" to her struggles.
"More than ever, they need your support," he writes, according to The New York Times. "I’ve been their support for years, but now this is beyond me. It’s time to sound the alarm."
In an interview with the newspaper, Federline confirmed he has not spoken to Spears "in years," as their children are now adults. He insisted he remains on her side.
"I have never, ever been against Britney," he stated. "I have only tried to ensure my children have an amazing relationship with their mother. And it’s difficult because, when I reflect on everything that has happened, my children don’t know the woman I married. And I have spent two decades trying to bridge that gap."
Us Weekly has contacted Britney Spears’ representative for comment regarding these claims.