Britney Spears announces social media break following engagement news

Britney Spears has officially deleted her Instagram account, thanking the #FreeBritney campaign before leaving her social media sites for a break.

The 39-year-old singer announced the news of her engagement via an Instagram reel on Monday (September 13), showing off her diamond ring alongside her partner Sam Asghari.

“I can’t fucking believe it,” Spears captioned the post.

Asghari posted on his own Instagram showing the two kissing with Britney holding her ring finger to the camera.

The news was confirmed by Asghari’s manager Brandon Cohen, who told The Hollywood Reporter that "the couple made their long-standing relationship official today and are deeply touched by the support, dedication and love expressed to them."

The ring was designed by New York City jeweller Roman Malayev and is engraved with the word 'lioness' on the band, Asghari's nickname for Britney. The couple met in 2016, when Asghari starred in the popstars 'Slumber Party' music video. Spears has two children with her second ex-husband, rapper Kevin Federline.

Britney told a judge she wanted to marry Asghari and have a baby with him during her public testimony in June this year, and detailed how she had been forbidden from removing her IUD to have more children, get married or even drive herself.

On Tuesday (September 14), her account was then deactivated after she shared a post thanking her supporters in the #FreeBritney movement. Screengrabs taken by fans show that the final post on her account was of an article titled ‘Infusing education with heart’, which featured an Oscar Wilde quote.

Spears captioned the post: “I had to repost this so you can see the whole article! Growing up in a world where basically almost everything I did was controlled by someone else...I hope this message gets to people who have been confused or manipulated by a system!

“No...you’re not alone and no...you’re not crazy! People need to hear this before it’s too late! I’ve waited 13 years and counting for my freedom! Again...team #FreeBritney you guys fucking kick ass! Love you so much and God bless!”

Though some fans speculated that her account was suspended by Instagram, the social media network confirmed to Insider that Britney’s account was deactivated by the pop icon, and not suspended by the company.

On Twitter, Britney later explained the decision, writing: “Don’t worry folks...just taking a little break from social media to celebrate my engagement!!!! I’ll be back soon.”

Don’t worry folks … just taking a little break from social media to celebrate my engagement 💍😉 !!!! I’ll be back soon 💋🌹✨

— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) September 14, 2021

After 13 years as Britney Spears’ conservator, the singer’s father, Jamie Spears, recently filed a petition in the Los Angeles Superior Court to end the conservatorship entirely.

The move comes after Jamie began proceedings to step down as Britney’s conservator last month. Jamie had been in charge of the conservatorship since it was enacted in 2008, and had recently come under intense scrutiny as a result of the #FreeBritney campaign, as well as a landmark hearing in June where the singer called the conservatorship “abusive”. He had previously been adamant that there were “no grounds whatsoever” to have him removed from the singer’s conservatorship.

NBC News first reported that Jamie is now siding with Britney to have the conservatorship fully terminated, claiming that she “is entitled to have this Court now seriously consider whether this conservatorship is no longer required”.

The next hearing date for her case is September 29th.