Britney Spears conservatorship ‘a total setup’: Former adviser

(NewsNation) — John Nazarian, private investigator for Britney Spears in 2006-2007, says the singer’s conservatorship “was a total setup.”

Nazarian said Spears became a “victim of her own success.”

“She is a very smart entertainer and a very good self-promoter. Unfortunately … I think she’s been taken advantage of numerous times,” Nazarian said exclusively Thursday night on NewsNation’s “Banfield.” “I’m not sure it did anything for her personally. But the people involved made millions of dollars off of her.”

Sources close to Spears told NewsNation’s Paula Froelich that Spears is in a bad place mentally and in need of help, though she is not hospitalized at this time. There is reportedly talk of another 5150 hold, which is an involuntary admission to a psychiatric facility, being put in place.

Paramedics were reportedly called Wednesday night to the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, where she was staying with her ex Paul Richard Soliz, after people reportedly heard her screaming and out of control in the hallways. Spears has denied dating Soliz but sources have said otherwise.

Photos show Spears walking outside with paramedics, appearing to be wearing only her underwear while wrapped in a blanket and holding a pillow to her chest. Spears was not transported by paramedics and returned home without Soliz.

Spears posted on social media Thursday night, appearing to suggest the photos were of body doubles, and said she is getting stronger every day. A couple of hours later, in a new Instagram post, she said she believes her mom was involved in the news of the paramedics reportedly responding to mental health concerns: “I was set up.”

“I was set up just like she did way back when !!! I wish I had grandparents !!! I can’t stand her !!!” Spears said.

NewsNation’s Steph Whiteside contributed to this report.