Lifestyle Health Celebrity Health Amanda Bynes Speaks Out After Conservatorship Ends: 'I Will Continue to Prioritize My Well-Being' "In the last several years, I have been working hard to improve my health so that I can live and work independently," Bynes tells PEOPLE exclusively after a judge officially terminated her nine-year-long conservatorship on Tuesday By Melody Chiu Melody Chiu Melody Chiu is an Executive Editor at PEOPLE overseeing music, events and emerging content. She has been with the brand since 2009, editing, writing and reporting across all entertainment verticals. She has written cover stories on Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Melissa McCarthy, Blake Shelton, Jordan Turpin and Sandra Oh. The Los Angeles native graduated from the University of Southern California and has appeared on Extra!, The Talk, Access Hollywood and Good Morning America. People Editorial Guidelines and Christine Pelisek Christine Pelisek Christine Pelisek is a senior crime writer at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2014. People Editorial Guidelines Published on March 22, 2022 02:19PM EDT Amanda Bynes. Photo: Amanda Bynes/Twitter Amanda Bynes is breaking her silence after a judge ruled on Tuesday to terminate her nearly nine-year-long conservatorship. In a statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE via her lawyer David A. Esquibias, the former actress-turned-fashion student expressed her gratitude while sharing insight into her future plans. "Following today's decision by the judge to terminate my conservatorship, I would like to thank my fans for their love and well wishes during this time. I would also like to thank my lawyer and my parents for their support over the last nine years," says Bynes, 35. "In the last several years, I have been working hard to improve my health so that I can live and work independently, and I will continue to prioritize my well-being in this next chapter. I am excited about my upcoming endeavors — including my fragrance line — and look forward to sharing more when I can," she concludes. Amanda Bynes' Conservatorship Expected to End After Nearly 9 Years, Judge Says in Tentative Ruling During the brief hearing, Judge Roger L. Lund congratulated "Ms. Bynes" — who was not present in court — and wished her "good luck." For more on Amanda Bynes' conservatorship ending, listen below to our daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day. "The conservatorship is no longer needed or required," said the judge. "She has done everything the court has asked." Bynes' mother, Lynn, was granted temporary conservatorship over the star back in August 2013 following a series of concerning behavior. (Lynn gained full conservatorship of her daughter in October 2014.) RELATED: Amanda Bynes and Fiancé Paul Michael Step Out for IHOP Breakfast Date in Los Angeles Over the last several years, Bynes has been living out of the spotlight as she finishes her degree at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising. She previously earned her associate's degree in 2019 and celebrated the milestone on social media. Amanda Bynes Plans to Move into an L.A. Rental with Fiancé Paul Michael: Lawyer Since filing to end her conservatorship in February, Bynes has been taking steps towards independence, most recently locating an L.A. rental to move into with her fiancé Paul Michael. (The couple — who met in late 2019 — announced their engagement on Valentine's Day 2020.) "She believes her condition is improved and protection of the court is no longer necessary," Esquibias told PEOPLE last month of Bynes, who has been largely residing in a sober living community. A week later, Bynes returned to Instagram in a since-deleted post, addressing Tuesday's conservatorship hearing. "What's up Instagram. Amanda Bynes here. My court date is coming up in two weeks," she said. "I want to thank you all for your love and support. Peace out."