It’s been two decades since Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera burst onto the pop music scene with their blockbuster debut albums in 1999 sparking a pop music duel throughout their careers.
The rivalry flames have been reignited as Spears has called out Aguilera for not speaking out on her mistreatment in her 13-year conservatorship.
During an interview with the Associated Press on the red carpet at the 22nd Annual Latin Grammys on Nov. 18, Aguilera was asked by a reporter if she’s had any communication with Spears now that her conservatorship has ended.
The Grammy-winning singer appears to look back at her publicist next to her who interrupts the interview saying, “We’re not doing that tonight. I’m sorry. Thank you though. Bye!”
Aguilera frowns and replies, “I can’t, but I’m happy for her,” before being escorted away from the press line.
Spears took to Instagram to express her dissatisfaction with the “Ain’t No Other Man” singer’s response.
“I LOVE AND ADORE EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED ME…BUT REFUSING TO SPEAK WHEN YOU KNOW THE TRUTH, IS EQUIVALENT TO A LIE !!!!,” she captioned the Aguilera interview clip in her Instagram Story. “13 YEARS BEING IN A CORRUPT ABUSIVE SYSTEM YET WHY IS IT SUCH A HARD TOPIC FOR PEOPLE TO TALK ABOUT ??? I’M THE ONE WHO WENT THROUGH IT !!!! ALL THE SUPPORTERS WHO SPOKE UP AND SUPPORTED ME THANK YOU…YES I DO MATTER !!!!!”
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TODAY has reached out to Brett Ruttenberg, the public relations rep who represents Aguilera seen in the video, for comment on the situation. We will update this post if he gets back to us.
Spears then recognized Lady Gaga for her support by sharing a clip of the "Rain On Me" singer also being asked about Spears on a recent red carpet for her new film “House of Gucci.”
“The way that she was treated in this business was really wrong and the way that women are treated in the music industry is something that I wish we change,” Gaga said. “I think that she will forever be an inspiration to women.”
"THANK YOU @LADYGAGA FOR GENUINELY TAKING YOUR TIME TO SAY SOMETHING SO KIND. YOU MADE ME CRY !!! I LOVE YOU !!!" Spears captioned the video clip in her Instagram Story.
Gaga responded to Spears by sharing some thoughts on her own Instagram Story later in the night.
"Love you @britneyspears," Gaga wrote. "Live your best life ❤️❤️❤️ I prayed for the legal system to treat you like a person. You've now changed the course for women in this industry forever. You stood up for yourself and were so brave. Thank you. 🙏."
Aguilera and Spears skyrocketed to fame after being child stars on Disney’s “The Mickey Mouse Club” which they co-starred alongside Keri Russell, Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling from 1993 to 1994.
Both singers quickly achieved massive success beginning in 1999 with their debut albums topping the charts, Spears' “…Baby One More Time” and Aguilera’s self-titled release.
In 2003, the pair famously shared an on-screen kiss with Madonna at the MTV Video Music Awards.
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Following Spears’ scorching testimony this past June about the abuse she says she endured during her conservatorship, Aguilera did voice her support by posting a childhood photo of the pair together on social media with a statement that read, in part, “To a woman who has worked under conditions and pressure unimaginable to most, I promise you she deserves all of the freedom possible to live her happiest life. My heart goes out to Britney. She deserves all the TRUE love and support in the world.”
Some took to social media to blast Spears for dragging Aguilera, someone who has supported her amid her conservatorship battle.
"I love you @britneyspears but wtf are you thinking?" one person tweeted. "This is so petty. @xtina did speak up and publicly support you, and it was actually during the trial. She didn’t stay quiet until you were free and then jump on the #freebritney bandwagon when it was time to promote a movie."
Others applauded her.
Another person wrote, "britney spears has every right to be frustrated. people only speak up on her situation when it benefits them cause wtf did that man mean "no we're not doing this right now" christina aguilera knows how this industry works."
CORRECTION (Nov. 22, 2021, 5:47 p.m.): An earlier version of this article misstated the date of the 22nd Annual Latin Grammy Awards. It was held Nov. 18, not Nov. 19.