Britney Spears' 'smile stops short of the eyes' in 'uncomfortable' online videos

Iconic pop star Britney Spears loves posting videos on Instagram, but many of her unusual clips have left fans concerned for her wellbeing.

The 43-year-old frequently shares snapshots of her life on the social media app, mainly in the form of solo videos, but their "erratic" nature has alarmed some onlookers. In the clips, Britney can frequently be seen gazing into the camera as she dances, twirls and poses on the spot.

The fears over the star's welfare comes four years after her conservatorship, which had begun in 2008, was terminated in the wake of the online "Free Britney" movement. While fans back then joyfully celebrated the singer's emancipation from her father Jamie Spears, who had filed for the arrangement in court to take charge of his daughter's legal and personal affairs, some supporters are worried all is not well for Britney.

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Body language expert Joanne Pearson, from Private Investigations UK, explained that the star's body movements do not match her facial expressions in many of her videos, leading to an unsettling viewing experience.

"In many of the clips, Britney displays large, exaggerated gestures, dramatic hair flips, sharp head tilts, and expressive hand movements," said Joanne. "These cues are consistent with a performer reclaiming the stage, but what unsettles viewers is the contrast with her facial expressions.

"Smiles often stop short of the eyes, and moments of apparent playfulness are not always mirrored by the rest of her face. When body and facial signals conflict in this way, it creates a sense of incongruence – people instinctively feel something 'doesn't match'."

Britney's content is mostly filmed in the same rooms of her home, featuring the same dance routines and camera angles, which some fans have called a ''red flag". Joanne feels this may be the star's attempt to regulate her emotions.

"While this could simply be personal preference, repetition without variation can suggest a compulsion to repeat behaviours, or an attempt to regulate emotions through routine," said our expert.

Another aspect to the clips that has sparked concern is the provocative nature of Britney's behaviour, with the singer frequently tugging at her clothing.

"There are subtle defensive cues in some clips that merit attention," said Joanne. "Adjusting clothing mid-performance, crossing the arms across the body, or leaning heavily into a wall are all gestures that can signal discomfort or self-consciousness. When such moments appear alongside bold, sexualised posing, the mixed signals can create unease for the audience."

Above all, the expert said we needed to be compassionate, citing the difficulties the singer has faced since become a worldwide name. And she said body language analysis could not diagnose any mental health issues.

"It is important to consider the context of Spears' background," said Joanne. "After more than a decade living under a conservatorship that tightly restricted her choices, she is now navigating freedom on her own terms.

"In that light, her provocative or highly stylised videos could be read as an act of reclamation – testing boundaries, exploring identity, and exercising autonomy in a way that was denied to her for years. What to outsiders looks chaotic may to her feel liberating."