As Britney Spears celebrates her 40th birthday as a free woman, here’s a love letter to the queen of pop

To: Ms Britney Jean Spears

Living legend. Free woman. Queen of pop.

Happy 40th birthday, baby! Hit that mall one more time and get yourself whatever it is your heart desires. Boots! Dresses! Floral mugs! Jumpsuits! Headbands! Art supplies! Treat yourself, darling, it’s time. This should be the best birthday ever. You deserve it! You deserve the world.

Actually, we reckon you should legally have only good things happen for you from now on – today, on your birthday, and forever more. Just joy and comfort and freedom (and justice and access to what is rightfully yours). Good food, good weather, good times. If it were up to us, you’d never get so much as a red light when you’re driving, you’d never experience bad WiFi, you’d never know the mild annoyance of waiting for your favourite Starbucks. From now on, everything should come up Britney.

Not just because you’ve produced some of the greatest pop bangers in living memory, but because you’ve always been so gracious; so funny; and so kind-hearted. So brave and angry and determined. So articulate in your rage and so generous with the fans who’ve had your back from afar. You’re not good, babes, you’re great! 

Please know how treasured you are, by so many of us. And how much we appreciate you, not just for your epic artistic output but for your heart. For your butterfly paintings and your leather hats and your infectious giggle. For your living room choreography and your burnt down gym and your outstanding one-liners in interviews. You are such a treasure, far beyond the iconic music you’ve released.

And to get personal for a moment, you’ve meant so much to me for so many years. Anyone who’s known me well, knows that. 

I used to stick articles about you on the fridge in the first place I lived when I moved out of home. I wrote my biggest essay at university about your impact on pop culture. When a song of yours comes on at a wedding, or party, or dance floor of any kind, people call my name because they know I’ll want to dance. I’ve screeched “Free Britney!” during an interview with NBC News. I’ve just hung a Britney calendar on my wall. And my dear friend Andre probably remembers how I nearly crushed his hand because I held it so tight the first time I saw you live in concert.

Underneath all of that is just this real admiration for you that doesn’t make sense to everyone, because you’re a famous stranger. But you’ve meant something to me for as long as I can remember and I don’t care that I don’t know you personally, I still have your best interests at heart and I just want you to be happy.

You’ve been through things nobody ever should and hurt by people who should never have had the good fortune to be a part of your life. Please know that we see you and we see your resilience and your humour and your grace. We are so proud of all you’ve done, and so grateful that you want to use your own experience to help protect other people who are also being exploited by the people who profess to love them. We are so lucky to have you. We are with you. We got you.