EXCLUSIVE: The Pain Behind Britney Spears' Daughter Adoption 'Joke' as She's 'Tormented' by Thought of Losing Her Boys Forever
Britney Spears claimed she 'adopted a baby girl' on social media.
July 17 2025, Published 5:52 p.m. ET
Britney Spears was said to be joking when she recently told her millions of social media followers she has “adopted a beautiful baby girl” — but those close to the 43-year-old star tell RadarOnline.com the real story behind the headline-grabbing post is one of heartbreak and fear.
“Britney’s terrified she’s lost her boys for good,” said a source. “The idea of adopting a daughter isn’t just a joke. It’s her way of coping with that pain.”
A Cry For Attention Or Prank?
Spears also claimed she 'moved to Italy' in the bizarre post.
The singer sparked confusion and concern after posting on Instagram that she had adopted a baby girl named Lennon London Spears.
The announcement — filled with playful emojis and a mention she had decided to “move to Italy” — was later deleted.
Fans speculated wildly about the post’s meaning, questioning whether it was a prank or a cry for attention.
But insiders say Spears, who shares sons Sean Preston, 19, and Jayden, 18, with ex-husband Kevin Federline, 46, is deeply affected by her fragile relationship with her children — and increasingly desperate to fill that emotional void.
“She’s constantly talking about babies, about motherhood. It’s not random,” said a family source. “She wants to adopt because she feels like she’s already lost the chance to be a mother to Sean and Jayden. She’s scared they’re never coming back into her life in a real way.”
Spears’ posts often feature baby dolls, cryptic messages and over-the-top emotion.
In January, she claimed she was planning to expand her family, writing: “I’ve decided I’m going to adopt a baby girl!!!! I’m actually serious!!!”
That post was also later removed.
“These aren’t just stunts or trolling,” said a close friend of the singer. “They come from a place of deep longing. Britney’s grieving her boys while trying to show the world she’s OK — but she’s not.”
Jayden and Sean moved to Hawaii with Federline and his wife in 2023.
Brit's Boys
Spears has paid more than $5million in child support.
Though Spears covered more than $5million in child support over 17 years, the payments ended in September 2024 when Jayden turned 18.
Despite a few signs of reconnection — including photos last month of Spears and Jayden driving together in a $200,000 Mercedes she bought him — the bond remains uncertain.
“Jayden is everything to her,” said another source familiar with the situation. “She’s trying so hard to be part of his life again. If that door closed completely, she’d be crushed. That’s the fear that keeps her up at night.”
The adoption post came shortly after fans spotted a baby carrier in one of Spears’ dance videos.
In past posts, she’s shown off a collection of dolls and made frequent references to “her baby” — sometimes even giving them names and describing nurseries.
Past Baby Remarks
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Spears has been hinting at wanting another baby for years.
In one 2021 video, she introduced fans to Brennan, a doll she described as her “first girl,” writing: “Her nursery is beautiful… We even look alike!!!”
“She’s trying to recreate something that’s missing,” said a former member of her team. “That maternal role gave her identity. She’s terrified it’s been taken from her forever.”
While some fans laughed off her adoption announcement as another one of Spears’ online stunts, those closest to her insist the pain behind it is real.
“She jokes to soften the blow,” said our source. “But behind every post is a mother who fears she’ll never truly be one again.”
