Britney Spears is taking an 'indefinite work hiatus'

Britney Spears is canceling her Las Vegas residency after her father "nearly died" last month.

The pop star has a "very special relationship" with her father Jamie Spears, she said in a Friday statement announcing the news. Jamie Spears' colon ruptured two months ago and he spent 28 days in the hospital, representatives tell The New York Times, prompting Spears to take an "indefinite work hiatus."

Spears announced her second Las Vegas residency in October, saying the Britney: Domination show series would start Feb. 13. She just wrapped up a tour with Pitbull and was planning to work on another album later this year, The Guardian says. Spears was "looking forward to this show," but made the "difficult decision to put my full focus and energy on my family" and cancel it in the wake of her father's illness, she shared on social media.

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Representatives told the Times that Jamie Spears is expected to make a full recovery, but Spears added that her father "has a long road ahead of him." Refund information for the Las Vegas show is on Spears' website.Kathryn Krawczyk