Britney Spears has addressed a Los Angeles courtroom at a hearing protesting her father's conservatorship, which allows him to entirely control her financial and personal affairs.
The pop star spoke to the judge in open court for the first time during her battle to see Jamie Spears removed as a conservator, candidly saying she was "depressed, traumatised" and calling for her father and her management to be "jailed".
"I've told the world I'm happy and OK," she said. "It's a lie."
"I'm traumatised. I am not happy, I can’t sleep. I'm so angry, it's insane. And I'm depressed," she said.
"My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship, including my management... they should be in jail."
Spears addressed the Los Angeles Superior Court remotely due to COVID-19 protocols in her first public statements about the court-approved legal arrangement that was first put in place in 2008 when she suffered a mental health breakdown.
Outside the court, dozens of #FreeBritney activists protested the conservatorship and reacted with shock to her comments as they heard them.
According to Fox News, Spears was asked multiple times to slow down while giving her speech, which was reportedly very rushed and during which she repeated herself several times.
"The last time I spoke to you [the judge] made me feel like I was dead. I am telling you again because I am not lying ... so maybe you can understand the depth and the degree and the damages ... I deserve changes," she continued.
On why she concealed the seriousness of the situation from her fans and the public, Spears said: "I honestly don’t think anyone would believe me.
"I thought people would make fun of me. I just want my life back. It's enough."
Spears specifically requested her comments be made public, telling the judge she wanted to "sue her family and share her story with the world".
The 'Toxic' singer claimed she had been prevented from getting married and having another baby, explaining she had an IUD implanted because her "team doesn't want her having any more children" - something she alleges she has not been allowed to control herself.
"I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive," she continued.
"I don't feel like I can live a full life... All I want is to own my money and for my boyfriend to be able to drive me in his car."
Spears said she wanted the current conservatorship to end immediately, without the condition of clearing a health evaluation.
Her comments in court appear to contradict a statement she made in late 2020.
In November, Spears finally addressed the longrunning #FreeBritney movement, which alleges she's being manipulated and held against her will under her father's conservatorship.
"Hi. So I know that there have been a lot of comments and a lot of people saying a lot of different things about me, but I just want to let you guys know that I am fine," she said in an Instagram video.
"I'm the happiest I've ever been in my life. I'm sending all of you guys a lot of prayers, wishes and a lot of love."
