Pop star Britney Spears has been invited to speak before the US Congress about her years-long conservatorship battle that ended in November.
Spears shared a letter on Instagram sent to her by two US members of Congress who said her journey “will inspire and empower many others who are improperly silenced by the conservatorship process".
“I received this letter months ago,” Spears said, and added that she was grateful her journey has been acknowledged.
“Again, I’m not here to be a victim although I’m the first to admit I’m pretty messed up by it all … I want to help others in vulnerable situations,” she said on Instagram.
“I was so scared and nothing is worse than your own family doing what they did to me.”
Spears's case pushed conservatorship battles into the political spotlight, with Republican and Democratic politicians voicing their support for the star and others in similar situations.
There are an estimated 1.3 million ongoing guardianship or conservatorship cases in the US, a 2018 repot from the National Council on Disability said.
“There is no doubt that your story will empower countless others outside the millions that are already inspired by you and your art,” Democratic representatives Charlie Cryst and Eric Swalwell said in the letter.
Jamie Spears, Spears's father, was suspended as the pop star's conservator in September.
A lawyer for the star said her father “had crossed unfathomable lines” by reportedly bugging her phone and bedroom. He has also been accused of mismanaging funds and micromanaging his daughter's every action.
Spears has previously alleged that her conservatorship has been abusive and that she was prevented from removing a birth control device so she could have children.
Her years-long conservatorship battle began in 2008 when she reportedly suffered a breakdown while being constantly harassed by the paparazzi. She lost custody of her two children in 2007.
The conservatorship battle gained serious momentum last year following a Netflix documentary that chronicled the singer's fight to win her freedom.
The documentary reignited the fan-created #FreeBritney campaign, wherein fans tried to bring attention to her conservatorship battle.
A Los Angeles judge's decision in November to formally end Spears's conservatorship was met with raucous cheers from fan demonstrating outside the courthouse.
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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 -
'Effective today, the conservatorship of the person and the estate of Britney Jean Spears is hereby terminated,' Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny said after a 30-minute hearing in which no one opposed ending the court-sanctioned arrangement. 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
