Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera have a shared history, having both worked together as children on the American TV series The Mickey Mouse Club, then launching their teen pop star careers at a similar time in the late '90s, before enjoying huge fame - and being subjected to much scrutiny - in the years that followed.
Decades later, Christina has penned an emotional open letter in support of her long-term fellow entertainer, amid Britney's court appeal to formally end her conservatorship that's been in place since 2008, after she had a public mental health breakdown. The conservatorship sees her father Jamie Spears and a team of professionals have control over her money, schedule and, according to Britney's recent testimony, pretty much every aspect of her life.
"These past few days I’ve been thinking about Britney and everything she is going through. It is unacceptable that any woman, or human, wanting to be in control of their own destiny might not be allowed to live life as they wish," Christina said on Twitter.
"To be silenced, ignored, bullied or denied support by those 'close' to you is the most depleting, devastating and demeaning thing imaginable. The harmful mental and emotional damage this can take on a human spirit is nothing to be taken lightly.
"Every woman must have the right to her own body, her own reproductive system, her own privacy, her own space, her own healing and her own happiness."
Christina added that she's not "behind the closed doors of this very layered and personal yet public conversation", but said: "all I can do is share from my heart on what I’ve heard, read and seen in the media.
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"The conviction and desperation of this plea for freedom leads me to believe that this person I once knew has been living without compassion or decency from those in control.
"To a woman who has worked under conditions and pressure unimaginable to most, I promise you she deserves all of the freedom possible to live her happiest life."
The singer concluded her thread by saying her heart goes out to Britney.
"She deserves all the TRUE love and support in the world."
Last week, Britney gave a public testimony and Variety reports she alleged her father and the conservatorship team have such a hold over her life that they've refused to allow her to have her IUD removed, so she can try for a baby with her partner, Sam Asghari.
The mother-of-two shared how unhappy she is with her situation, saying: "I’ve lied and told the whole world 'I’m OK and I’m happy'... It’s a lie. I thought I just maybe if I said that enough maybe I might become happy. I’ve been in shock. I am traumatised. But now I’m telling you the truth... I’m not happy. I can’t sleep. I’m so angry it’s insane. And I’m depressed. I cry every day."
Britney's father and his legal team have always maintained they have acted with Britney's best interests at heart and that Jamie Spears was not motivated by money or power in any way. Through his lawyer, Jamie said he is sorry to see his daughter in so much pain and that he misses and loves her.
The most recent hearing ended without resolution and it's believed it will be Britney's only public statement on the matter. Another hearing is scheduled for July.
