Britney Spears Says She's Not Being Held Against Her Will in a Mental Health Facility

On Wednesday, Britney Spears posted an Instagram video responding to rumors that she was being held in a mental health facility against her will.

“I wanted to say hi, because things that are being said have just gotten out of control!!! Wow!!!” she wrote in the Instagram video caption. “I am trying to take a moment for myself, but everything that’s happening is just making it harder for me. Don’t believe everything you read and hear.”

You can see the full Instagram post below.

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I wanted to say hi, because things that are being said have just gotten out of control!!! Wow!!! There’s rumors, death threats to my family and my team, and just so many things crazy things being said. I am trying to take a moment for myself, but everything that’s happening is just making it harder for me. Don’t believe everything you read and hear. These fake emails everywhere were crafted by Sam Lutfi years ago… I did not write them. He was pretending to be me and communicating with my team with a fake email address. My situation is unique, but I promise I’m doing what’s best at this moment ???????????? You may not know this about me, but I am strong, and stand up for what I want! Your love and dedication is amazing, but what I need right now is a little bit of privacy to deal with all the hard things that life is throwing my way. If you could do that, I would be forever grateful. Love you ❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears) on Apr 23, 2019 at 6:30pm PDT

The “Toxic” singer was referring to rumors that surfaced last week from a fan podcast called “Britney’s Gram” that alleged Spears was being forcibly held in a mental health facility. In response to the allegations, social media users began posting with the hashtag #FreeBritney. According to previous reports, Spears checked herself into treatment at the end of March.

Spears went on to thank her fans for their support and concern for her, but encouraged them to give her the space she needs as she and her family sort through the “stress and anxiety” they’ve all been experiencing recently. She said:

Your love and dedication is amazing, but what I need right now is a little bit of privacy to deal with all the hard things that life is throwing my way. If you could do that, I would be forever grateful. Love you ❤️❤️❤️

In January, Spears told fans she wouldn’t be performing in her new Vegas residency show called “Domination” due to her father’s near-death health experience.

“I’ve been looking forward to this show and seeing all of you this year, so doing this breaks my heart,” she wrote on Instagram. “However, it’s important to always put your family first… I had to make the difficult decision to put my full focus and energy on my family at this time. I hope you all can understand.”

Fans have flooded the comment section of the pop star’s Instagram with support.

If this news is hard for you, there is help available. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text “START” to 741-741.