An emotional Britney Spears on Wednesday called the 13-year-long conservatorship that has controlled her life stupid and abusive, saying she felt traumatised and angry and wanted her life back.

In a statement of more than 20 minutes, pop star Spears, 39, told the Los Angeles judge overseeing the arrangement that she wanted it to end.

"I just want my life back," she said. "I’m not here to be anyone’s slave."

"I'm traumatised ... I'm not happy, I can't sleep," she said. Spears said her frequent upbeat postings on her Instagram account were lies. "I'm so angry. And I'm depressed. I cry every day," she added.

Spears delivered her remarks by phone, her first public statements about the court-approved arrangement that was first put in place in 2008 when she suffered a mental health breakdown.

"I truly believe this conservatorship is abusive," Spears said, her words tumbling out so fast the judge asked her to slow down. "My dad and anyone involved in this conservatorship and my management who played a key role in punishing - ma'am, they should be in jail."

She said she was forced into a mental health facility that cost her $60,000 a month after canceling her planned Las Vegas shows in early 2019. She has not performed since late 2018.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Brenda Penny said she would need a petition submitted to the court asking for the conservatorship to be terminated before she could take any action.

Spears has never formally petitioned to have the arrangement terminated. Under terms of the conservatorship, she would have to demonstrate that she can take responsibility for her personal and financial affairs.

Penny praised Spears for speaking out. "I know it took a lot of courage," Penny said. "I just want to commend you again for really stepping forward and stepping out to have your thoughts heard, not only by myself but by everybody who has been involved in this case."

The last time Spears spoke directly to the judge was in May 2019 but the court was closed to the public and her testimony was sealed. On Wednesday the singer stated that she wanted people to hear what she had to say.

The former teen phenomenon said she wanted to get married again and have a baby. But she said she has a contraceptive device that she wants removed, but is not allowed to go to the doctor "because they don’t want me to have any more children."

Spears, who has been dating boyfriend Sam Asghari for five years, has 30% custody of her two children with her former husband Kevin Federline.

Outside the courthouse, several dozen fans, many of them dressed in pink and holding "Free Britney" placards, rallied in support of the "Stronger" singer.

Last year, Spears began the legal process to remove her father, Jamie Spears, from handling personal affairs ranging from her medical care to who visits her secluded villa outside Los Angeles. Jamie Spears also is a joint conservator of the singer's finances.

Jamie Spears said in a statement read out by his attorney on Wednesday that he was “sorry to see his daughter suffer and in so much pain. Mr. Spears loves his daughter and misses her very much."

The singer however, called her father "ignorant" and controlling. "He loved every minute of it, the control he had. He loved it," she said.

Spears complained that she had not been allowed to have her nails or hair done, or had a massage or acupuncture in a year.

"It's embarrassing and demoralizing what I've been through," she said. "I feel bullied. I feel left out and alone."

During the conservatorship, the singer made a comeback in late 2009 and performed, released albums and went on world tours solidly until late 2018.

Details of her mental health issues have never been disclosed but Spears said on Wednesday that doctors had put her on the drug Lithium and that she "felt drunk."

The unusually long conservatorship has come under increasing scrutiny in recent years thanks to the fan-based #FreeBritney movement, a 2021 documentary, and a series of leaked court documents.

Following the hearing, Timberlake, who had a high-profile relationship with Spears in the late 1990s and early 2000s, said what is happening to his former girlfriend is “just not right”.

The actor and singer, 40, said: “After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time. Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was… what’s happening to her is just not right. No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body.

“No one should EVER be held against their will… or ever have to ask permission to access everything they’ve worked so hard for.”

Meanwhile, Justin Timberlake has joined the celebrities rallying around Britney Spears following her dramatic day in court.

Following the hearing, Timberlake, who had a high-profile relationship with Spears in the late 1990s and early 2000s, said what is happening to his former girlfriend is “just not right”.

The actor and singer, 40, said: “After what we saw today, we should all be supporting Britney at this time. Regardless of our past, good and bad, and no matter how long ago it was… what’s happening to her is just not right. No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body.

“No one should EVER be held against their will… or ever have to ask permission to access everything they’ve worked so hard for.”

Timberlake, who split from Spears in 2002, said he and wife Jessica Biel fully support Spears. In February he apologised to Spears for how he treated her during their break-up.

Writing on Twitter following the hearing, Timberlake added: “Jess and I send our love, and our absolute support to Britney during this time. We hope the courts, and her family make this right and let her live however she wants to live.”

He joined a group of high-profile figures sharing support for Spears.

Mariah Carey tweeted: “We love you Britney!!! Stay strong.”

Pop star Halsey said she “admires” Spears’s courage for speaking out, writing online: “Bless Britney and I hope with my whole heart she is awarded freedom from this abusive system. She deserves it more than anything. I admire her courage speaking up for herself today.

“Additionally, f*** anyone who thinks they have the authority as an institution or individual to control a person’s reproductive health. #FreeBritney.”

Reality TV star Khloe Kardashian said: “No one should be treated like this. Stay strong Queen!! You deserve better #FreeBritney.”

Actress and activist Rose McGowan tweeted: “Britney Spears has every right to be angry. How would you feel if your life was stolen, dissected, mocked? I pray she gets to live your life on her terms. STOP CONTROLLING WOMEN.”

Meghan McCain, a TV personality and daughter of former US presidential nominee John McCain, suggested the terms of Spears’s conservatorship should be illegal.

“How is what has been done to Britney Spears not a human rights crime?” she said.

“Isolation, controlling her capacity to reproduce without her consent, forcing her to work under inhumane conditions. If she were any other person the people who did this to her would be in jail.”

Comedian Ziwe wrote: “FREE BRITNEY!!!!!!!!!!!”

TV host Andy Cohen tweeted: “#FreeBritney”

During Wednesday’s hearing, judge Brenda Penny said a decision on ending the conservatorship cannot be taken until a request is formally lodged with the court.

Samuel Ingham, Spears’s lawyer, said he will discuss the next steps with the star.

Additional reporting: PA