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After Britney Spears was released in November from an “abusive” conservatorship controlled by her father for more than 13 years, the pop princess was invited along with her attorney, Mathew Rosengart, to testify before Congress regarding her case.
In an Instagram post, Spears reported that she had received a letter months earlier from Congressmen Charlie Crist and Eric Swalwell, who congratulated her on her victory in the courts. However, she had preferred to keep the invitation a secret because she was not yet at the “healing stage” she has finally reached after months of freedom.
“I’m grateful that my story was even ACKNOWLEDGED,” the pop star wrote Wednesday in the screenshot of her post. “Because of the letter, I felt heard and like I mattered for the first time in my life!”.
Spears says she felt “pretty messed up” by her family and appreciates the gesture of “empathy” on the part of the congressmen. “In the mean time thank you to Congress for inviting me,” the singer continues.
Spears’ story united the political spectrum
In the missive, Crist and Swalwell tell Spears that her case brought to light many ” concerning issues” about legal guardianships, and that it was “especially troubling” that the star was unable to hire her own team of lawyers to defend her personal and financial interests.
“To that end, we wanted to personally invite you and your counsel to meet with us in Congress at a mutually convenient time to describe in your own words how you achieved justice,” the letter reads.
“Please note that you have absolutely no obligation to do anything more but fight for yourself, but if you are willing, we would appreciate learning more about the emotional and financial turmoil you faced within the conservatorship system.”
This is not the first time Britney Spears’ case has been mentioned in Congress. Representatives such as Republicans Jim Jordan, Matt Gaetz and Ted Cruz, or Democrats Elizabeth Warren and Charlie Crist, mentioned the superstar’s situation on more than one occasion, and even introduced legislation to regulate conservatorships.
In November, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda J. Penny approved Rosengart’s request to end a legal battle filled with revelations about the abuse and exploitation the 39-year-old star was subjected to for more than a decade.
