Lady Gaga lauds Spears as her conservatorship is finally lifted

MILAN • Pop star and actress Lady Gaga (left) last Saturday celebrated singer Britney Spears' release from a conservatorship imposed more than a decade ago, calling her an inspiration who was treated badly by the music industry.

Lady Gaga, who has said she also struggles with mental health issues including trauma from a sexual assault by a music producer when she was only 19, spoke to Reuters about Spears (left) while attending the red carpet premiere of the film, House Of Gucci, in Milan.

"She is wildly talented, she is incredibly inspirational and I am just so happy that we get to celebrate today, that she gets to embark on a new phase of her life," Lady Gaga, 35, said of Spears, a former teen phenom who became an international pop star.

The Overprotected singer, who turns 40 on Dec 2, won back her freedom last Friday after 13 years under a conservatorship that controlled how she spent her money, when she performed, who had access to her house and the medications she took.

Her efforts drew international attention as fans pressed for her release from the conservatorship and her situation was highlighted in films.

Lady Gaga, who created the Born This Way Foundation for people struggling with mental health issues, said Spears was not treated well by the music industry after a breakdown in which she shaved her head and soon after entered a rehabilitation centre.

In fighting to be released from the conservatorship, Spears "authored her freedom", Lady Gaga said.

"She worked hard for this moment and I hope she feels that."

REUTERS