Pop icon Britney Spears has once again vanished from Instagram, leaving her 43 million followers puzzled. This abrupt departure follows closely on the heels of her ex, Sam Asghari, sharing a photo with Brad Pitt, Spears' favorite actor, at an art exhibition. Asghari, who parted ways with Spears in the summer of 2023, reportedly used Spears' name to secure a selfie with Pitt at the event, according to an eyewitness account shared with Page Six.
Asghari's Instagram post from the Bennett Miller gallery exhibition in Beverly Hills showcased him alongside Pitt, captioned with a light-hearted note about receiving skincare tips from the actor. While some followers perceived this as a playful interaction, others speculated a possible dig at Spears, given her well-known admiration for Pitt. Comments ranged from humorous to critical, with one user pointing out, "Britney's dream ," and another saying, "You are nothing without Britney!! Don't ever think that you are ."
The photo itself drew mixed reactions, with several followers questioning if Pitt was a wax figure or a digital creation, given his youthful appearance next to Asghari. Compliments poured in for Pitt's age-defying looks, with one fan writing, "Two hotties Brad don't age lol ."
Spears' Instagram exit coincided with the 20th anniversary of her hit single "Toxic." Previously, the singer had expressed her intention to step back from music-making, focusing on ghostwriting for other artists. In a now-deleted post, Spears clarified her current stance on her music career: "Pushing forward in my music career is not my focus at the moment. It's time for me not to be someone who other people want; it's time to actually find myself."
This is not Spears' first hiatus from Instagram. Prior to the release of her memoir "The Woman In Me," she had briefly deactivated her account, parting with a cryptic farewell message to her fans. Similarly, Justin Timberlake, Spears' ex-boyfriend and a subject of controversy in her memoir, has erased all his Instagram posts amid speculations of his retreat from public life to focus on new music projects.
The intertwining of personal and public lives, especially through social media, continues to be a theme in Spears' journey post-conservatorship. Her actions, whether withdrawing from the public eye or expressing herself candidly online, continue to draw significant attention and evoke varied reactions from her global fanbase.
