Lynne Spears’ fall from best friend to enemy

LOS ANGELES - Britney Spears and her mother, Lynne, used to be inseparable. Now, they are in a very public battle.

In part one of our three part series, Access Hollywood investigates celebrity moms. We begin with Lynne Spears.

A love so deep, just mentioning her mother in 2004 brought Britney to tears. She got so emotional she had to leave an Access interview.

More than a devoted mom, Britney called her mother, Lynne, her best friend, writing in her 2000 book “Heart To Heart,” “Anytime I’m down, I know who to call to pick me up — my mama.”

In a tragic reverse of relations, the downward spiraling star has lashed out at her mother, blaming her for just about everything — ordering her to rehab and conspiring with Kevin Federline to take the kids. Britney even confronted her mother on the set of sister Jamie Lynn’s TV show with a letter, reportedly threatening legal action if she didn’t stay away from her kids.

‘Trying very, very hard’
A revealing article on celebrity moms in the new Vanity Fair claims that unlike the parents of other troubled young stars including Paris and Lindsay, Lynne Spears is taking positive steps.

“I think that Lynne Spears is trying very, very hard,” Vanity Fair writer Judith Newman told Access. “First of all, she is trying to stay out of the press because she recognizes the seriousness of what’s going on here and she is really probably a woman who loves her grandchildren and just doesn’t want to see them in harm’s way.”

NBC News video Why did Spears lose custody? Oct. 2: It's rumored that Britney didn't obey the judge’s order for parent counseling and drug tests. Today show

Even after Britney slapped her mom with the letter, which at the time Lynne Spears called a “love letter,” those close to her mom have reportedly said Lynne hasn’t given up hope. That same devotion has been evident to Access Hollywood’s cameras from the very beginning.

From Britney’s days as a tween icon to her superstardom status, Lynne was always there, protecting Britney and putting her daughter’s needs first.

“Lynne Spears’ daughter might be the most unhinged … but Lynne Spears, from everything we can tell, was not trying to live through her child,” Newman said. “She did have a dream that she didn’t realize, but it had nothing to do with show business. She really wanted to be a college professor.”

According to Vanity Fair, the Spears family, who comes from the small town of Kentwood, Louisiana, put their own finances at risk so the star-driven Britney could have a shot.

Slide show The Spears years Britney’s life, from Mickey Mouse to motherhood, divorce drama and more. more photos

“I do think she and her husband practically bankrupted themselves for their child,” Newman said.

A then grateful Britney, according to the magazine, did share her success with her parents, buying a mansion she ironically called Serenity.

Now, at a time when Britney needs her mom most, there’s no communication, but according to Vanity Fair, Lynne is sticking to a dose of tough love at any cost.

“According to our sources, Lynne Spears has taken a financial hit because of trying to protect her grandkids,” Newman told Access. “She really has taken as one person said to me a principal stand here.”

MORE FROM ACCESS HOLLYWOOD

Access Hollywood Section Front

Jennifer Hudson to perform at White House ‘Shock is fun,’ Lambert says of performance Megan Fox: ‘I’m not a tigress like Angelina’ Ungaro: Lohan’s fashion debut was ‘a disaster’ Speidi want to talk fame with Brangelina Jolie reportedly reconciles with father Voight Rod Stewart says he’s hoping for eighth child Downey says directing could be his ‘next move’ Jon, Kate to spend Christmas under same roof Access Hollywood Section Front