LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Bam Margera recently added a meaningful piece of art to his collection of tattoos.
During a visit to First Hand Tattoo in Pennsylvania, the former 'Jackass' star chose a design that pays tribute to Britney Spears, someone he believes he shares certain similarities with.
The tattoo features the words, "Britney Spears [heart] Oops they did it to me too!", as reported by TMZ.
What does Bam Margera's tattoo mean?
Margera's recent tattoo, paying homage to Britney Spears, delves into a deeper meaning connected to a phenomenon known as the 'Florida shuffle'.
The term is used to describe a phenomenon associated with substance abuse treatment in the state of Florida, particularly in the realm of addiction recovery.
It involves a cycle where individuals struggling with substance abuse, often with good health insurance, are sent to multiple rehab centers, which may exploit the individual's insurance coverage by providing treatment, often involuntarily or with minimal benefit, and then discharging them when the insurance coverage is exhausted.
This process may repeat, with individuals being sent to different treatment centers, often in a circuit or "shuffle," hence the name.
Margera identifies with this cycle and sees parallels between his own experiences and Britney Spears' challenging time under her conservatorship. He also criticizes his interventionist for allegedly profiting from his repeated rehab stays.
What happened to Bam Margera?
Margera has a history of substance abuse issues and was accused by his friend Steve-O of relapsing, as per Daily Mail.
Steve-O said in a heartbreaking Instagram post that he was "bracing" for Margera to die.
A conversation between the two on Instagram on July 2022 exposed the relationship's flaws, with Steve-O accusing Margera of slacking off and saying, "You're dying, brother, and it sucks that I can't do anything to save you."
In a since-deleted Instagram comment, Steve-O begged Margera to get clean for his young son.
"Bam, last night you had your five year old son with you on stage at my show, and you were blessed with the chance to spend another day or two with him, then as soon as you left my show, you stayed up all night getting loaded enough to think it was a good idea to post more vile nonsense like this," Steve-O allegedly wrote in a comment to a post by Margera.
He continued, "I hope you understand how awful that is. You say you want to have a relationship with your son, but your actions guarantee the exact opposite will happen."
"I brought you on tour with me in hopes that I could get you to see what's possible for you if you choose recovery. I've tried everything I can, but I can't force you get honest and do the work of recovery."
He concluded, "I wish you could know how much I've hated feeling braced for news of your death, but you're making it clear that I have no other choice. You're dying brother, and it sucks that I can't do anything to save you."
Margera's addiction also worried his fellow 'Jackass' members after co-star Ryan Dunn's tragic death. He was excluded from the fourth film due to these challenges, prompting him to address his problem and seek rehabilitation.
Britney Spears' conservatorship
In 2019, Spears told the court that she was forced to do a lot of things she did not want to do, including staying in a mental health facility and performing against her wishes, according to the NY Times.
During her conservatorship, which lasted from 2008 to 2021, she experienced a significant loss of personal autonomy.
The conservatorship was established after a series of public struggles and a highly publicized mental health crisis.
Under the conservatorship, her father, Jamie Spears, had control over various aspects of her life, including her finances, career decisions, and even personal matters.
Financial Control
Jamie Spears, along with a lawyer, had control over the singer's finances. They managed her estate, made financial decisions on her behalf, and controlled her spending.
Professional Control
The conservatorship allowed control over Spears' career, including her tours, contracts, and other professional engagements. This control was often a subject of criticism and speculation.
Medical and Personal Decisions
The conservatorship also gave control over Spears' medical and personal decisions, including her medical treatment, residence, and other personal matters.
Limited Freedom
Spears expressed not having the freedom to make choices about her life. She claimed that she was not allowed to marry, have more children, or make decisions about her career and personal life.
Public Advocacy for Termination
Britney and her legal team, alongside a growing movement of supporters known as the #FreeBritney movement, advocated for the termination of the conservatorship, arguing that she was capable of managing her own life.
The conservatorship faced intense scrutiny and led to a global #FreeBritney movement, with many advocating for its end and questioning the circumstances surrounding it.
In 2021, Britney Spears testified in court, detailing her experiences and expressing her desire to end the conservatorship, which eventually saw a shift in legal decisions and public opinion.
In November 2021, the conservatorship was terminated by the court.
Fans are now voicing their opinions and on Margera drawing parallels between his situation and Spears'.
"He's not that innocent," one user wrote on X, formerly Twitter. Another exclaimed, "unbelievable."
A third brutally said, "Bam is a lying dirtbag who refuses to take responsibility for anything in his own life. He was not caught up in the Florida Shuffle EVER. His insurance lasted 3 months. His parent, Music Cares, and his Health Care guardian paid for him to just come out and be a thankless POS."
"Every time I hear anything about Bam Margera I’m like uh oh," wrote a fourth.
A fifth said that Spears would never get a Bam Margera tattoo. "Will Britney get a Bam Margera tat? Nah."
