Britney Spears has attempted to reassure fans she's "doing what's right" in a video posted to Instagram, but some remain convinced she's being held against her will at a rehab facility.
Earlier this month, the 'Toxic' hitmaker was voluntarily admitted to a mental health facility, telling her followers on social media she needed "me time".
Since then, rumours the pop star is being held in treatment against her will have been rife online, with fans using the hashtag #FreeBritney in campaigns targeting her family and entourage online.
Now, Spears has broken her silence with an Instagram post - a self-filmed video in which she says "all is well".
"Hi guys, just checking in with all of you who are concerned about me. All is well," the 37-year-old says.
"My family is going through a lot of stress and anxiety lately, so I just needed time to deal, but don't worry, I'll be back very soon."
In a lengthy caption accompanying the post, Spears says rumours have "gotten out of control", pleading with followers: "don't believe everything you read and hear".
"There's rumours, death threats to my family and my team, and just so many things crazy things being said," she says.
"I am trying to take a moment for myself, but everything that's happening is just making it harder for me.
"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," she concluded.
Spears' struggle with mental health has been a long and public one. During the mid-late 2000s, she was admitted to rehab, lost custody of her children and was committed to a psychiatric ward.
Newshub.
