As hundreds of fans celebrated outside the courthouse in Los Angeles on Friday, chanting “Britney! Britney! Britney!” and sang her 2000 hit Stronger, Britney Spears' celebrity friends joined in the jubilation on social media to toast the historic suspension of her 13-year conservatorship.
In a widely expected ruling, Judge Brenda Penny said after a 30-minute hearing that the court-sanctioned conservatorship, which has controlled Spears's life since 2008, was "hereby terminated".
The ruling went unopposed.
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Supporters of singer Britney Spears celebrate outside the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Los Angeles as Spears's conservatorship is terminated. Reuters -
Britney Spears supporter Phoebe Price and her dog Henry take pictures next to a 'Free Britney' Christmas tree set by fans outside the courthouse. AP -
For the first time in 13 years, Britney Spears will be able to choose how she spends her fortune, estimated to be worth more than $60 million. AP -
Confetti falls on Britney Spears supporters outside the courthouse. AP -
Spears supporters march on Grand Avenue during the hearing. AP -
Under the conservatorship imposed since 2008, Spears had no control over her how she spent her money, when she performed, who had access to her house and even what medications she should take. AP -
Spears herself posted an Instagram with the #FreedBritney hashtag shortly after the court decision. 'Good God, I love my fans so much it's crazy,' she said. AP -
New Jersey performer and Britney Spears supporter Brennyboombox cheers Matthew Rosengart, Britney Spears's lawyer, as they celebrate outside the courthouse. AP -
Matthew Rosengart, Britney Spears's lawyer,, talks to the media after the hearing. AP -
A Britney Spears supporter celebrates after the court hearing that ended the pop singer's conservatorship in Los Angeles. AP -
Britney Spears supporter Felipe Servat, from Brazil, reacts with the the crowd as they celebrate. AP -
The conservatorship was set up and overseen by Britney's father, Jamie Spears, after she had a public breakdown in 2007 and was hospitalised for undisclosed mental health issues. AP -
Lauriann Wright, the lawyer for Jodi Montgomery, who had been entrusted with overseeing Spears's personal life, told the judge there was 'no reason this termination cannot happen and Ms Spears cannot live a safe, happy and fulfilling life'. AP -
Spears's case helped prompt hearings in the US Congress and a new law in California aimed at preventing abusive conservatorships, which are normally set up to protect disabled people, the elderly or those suffering from dementia. AP -
In June, Spears told the court she had been humiliated and traumatised and that she wanted her life back. EPA -
Spears's lawyer Rosengart said a 'safety net' had been put in place to help Spears transition back to regular life. AP -
Since revealing years of private anguish in tearful testimony in June, Spears hired Rosengart, who moved aggressively to end the restrictions. AP -
Filipe Servat and Lindsey Fairchild embrace upon hearing the news that Britney Spears's conservatorship has been terminated. EPA -
Spears's lawyer Rosengart is pushing for Jamie Spears to be investigated for possible financial mismanagement of his daughter's affairs, but he said on Friday it would be up to Britney Spears to decide how to proceed on that matter. EPA -
Spears had said she had been forced to work and take medication against her will and was prevented from marrying or even getting her hair done. AFP -
A Britney Spears doll sits atop a 'Free Britney' Christmas tree during a rally outside the courthouse. EPA -
Lexi Tonniges and Lauren Grundmann are joined by other dancers as they perform on a stage outside the LA courthouse. EPA -
Jamie Spears has said through lawyers that he helped his daughter rehabilitate her career and always acted in her best interest. AFP -
Jubilation erupted outside the courthouse, with fans cheering and shouting after the decision was announced. The crowd chanted 'Britney! Britney! Britney!' and fans sang and danced to Spears’ song 'Stronger'. Reuters -
The judge’s move was widely expected, with little support left for prolonging the legal arrangement. No new arguments were offered at the 30-minute hearing. Spears did not attend. Reuters -
Spears’s lawyer, Mathew Rosengart, told fans and reporters that the case 'helped shine a light on conservatorships and guardianships from coast to coast, from California to New York. And that took a tremendous amount of insight, courage and grace'. Reuters -
Supporters decorate a pink Christmas tree outside the courthouse. Reuters -
Alexandra Foertschbeck holds a 'Free Britney' flag during at the rally. EPA -
Twins Edward and John Grimes of Dublin, Ireland, with a 'Free Britney' flag outside the courthouse. AP -
Supporter Rafael Lopez, of Tijuana, Mexico, waves a 'Free Britney' flag. AP
"I have no words … because of you guys and your constant resilience in freeing me from my conservatorship, my life is now in that direction! I cried last night for two hours 'cause my fans are the best and I know it," Spears tweeted after the judgement.
The pop star's fiance Sam Asghari said: "History was made today. Britney is Free!", along with the words "Freedom".
Asghari and Spears, who got engaged in September, are expected to tie the knot soon.
Paris Hilton, who married her fiance Carter Reum on Thursday, was one of the first celebrities to react to the news.
"I’m so happy that this day has finally come. This moment is so long overdue. @BritneySpears is finally free! You’re the most resilient, kind and inspiring soul. We all love you so so much! Your best days are yet to come!" she tweeted, along with a photo of herself with Spears.
Actress and activist Mia Farrow, who has been actively sharing her thoughts on the case, posted: "So happy for Britney Spears!"
Farrow in June referred to the conservatorship as a "captivity".
"The fact that Brittney Spears has endured 13 years of captivity, complete loss of autonomy, and the myriad, gross violations and humiliations inflicted upon her – is proof not only of her soundness of mind but of an extraordinary strength and resilience," she posted earlier. "Spears is a nearly 40-year-old person who has long had the right to see who she wants, marry, have a baby, hire her own staff, lawyer, manager etc, therapy or not, work or not, spend her $ or burn it, make mistakes & learn as we all have done."
Singer Cher, who's also been vocal about her support for ending the conservatorship, posted several emojis celebrating the ruling.
"She's free, free, free...," she tweeted.
"We have to now protect Britney," actress and activist Jameela Jamil tweeted.
"Oh my god. You guys freed Britney! But now we have to protect her from the paparazzi and tabloid media who are determined to drive her back into this same mess, by harassing and stalking her," The Good Place star said, while Modern Family actor Jesse Tyler Ferguson simply posted "Britney deserves to be free" following the judgement.
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