BRITNEY SPEARS has been pretty clear about being on a career hiatus . . . basically because she didn’t want to record or perform while her father was pulling the strings.

But that might be about to change now that he’s agreed to back out of her conservatorship.

TMZ caught up with Britney’s boyfriend, Sam Asghari, and asked him if she’d be back onstage soon. He said, “Absolutely, man. Hopefully.” Obviously that’s not much to go on, but at least it sounds like she’s thinking about it again.

My guess is it would be something like a Vegas residency, but my dream is a full blown tour. And if Ricky Martin was part of it, I wouldn’t be mad.

— Jenn