Following the termination of her 13-year-long conservatorship, pop star Britney Spears says she wants to advocate for those trapped in similar situations.
In a short video uploaded to social media platform Instagram, the iconic pop singer said she’s “not here to be a victim” but wants to leverage her own experience to support others in need of help.
“I’ve been in a conservatorship for 13 years. It’s a really long time to be in a situation you don’t want to be in,” Spears said.
“I'm here to advocate for people with real disabilities and real illnesses.
“I'm a very strong woman so I can only imagine what the system has done to those people.”
Spears has previously called her conservatorship “abusive” and said she was “traumatised” by the lack of autonomy.
“I was told right now in the conservatorship, I’m not able to get married or have a baby, I have a [contraceptive device] inside of myself right now so I don’t get pregnant,” she told a court back in June.
“I’d like for my boyfriend to be able to drive me in his car.”
A judge ruled to dissolve Spears’ court-ordered conservatorship last week, allowing the 39-year-old to regain control over her health, work and $81 million estate.
The conservatorship was set up and overseen by the singer's father, Jamie Spears, after she had a public breakdown in 2007 and was hospitalised for undisclosed mental health issues.
Britney Spears fan that goes by the name Jakeyonce, right, celebrates outside the courtroom after the court ruling. Source: Los Angeles Times
But despite the arrangement, Spears continued to work a gruelling schedule for many years, releasing new albums, performing world tours and making several guest star appearances on TV.
Speaking on Instagram, she said she hoped her story would make an impact and create some changes in what she described as a “corrupt” conservatorship system.
Spears thanked the #FreeBritney movement, which had been campaigning to end her conservatorship for years.
“My voice was muted and threatened for so long, and I wasn't able to speak up or say anything,” Spears told her followers.
“You gave it awareness to all of them ... I honestly think you guys saved my life in a way.”
Spears said post-conservatorship she was grateful for the “little things” like being able to have her own set of car keys, having her own ATM card and being able to buy candles.
“It makes a huge difference. And I'm grateful for that. You know, it's nice. It's really nice.”
