The highly anticipated memoir from pop icon Britney Spears is set to hit the shelves in just four days. Titled “The Woman in Me”, the book delves into Spears’ life journey, from her early days and meteoric rise to fame, to her current status and potential return to the music scene. Several publications have had a sneak peek into the memoir, revealing some astonishing aspects of Spears’ life that have largely remained hidden from public view.
Let’s dive into five of the most startling revelations from the memoir:
The Text Message Breakup with Justin Timberlake
Pop star Justin Timberlake makes an appearance in the memoir, with Spears painting their relationship as “magnetic.” She reveals that Timberlake ended their relationship via a text message, leaving her “devastated” and contemplating quitting showbiz. Spears also clears the air on the infidelity rumors that haunted their relationship, confirming that she kissed Wade Robson after Timberlake was unfaithful to her.
Spears’ Perspective on Drugs and Alcohol
Spears’ party-girl image, propagated by the media, was something she found both surprising and exaggerated. “It was never as wild as the press made it out to be,” she stated, referencing a time when she was photographed with Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. She denies ever being addicted to drugs or alcohol, but admits to taking Adderall to alleviate feelings of depression.
The Infamous “Umbrella Attack” Incident Explained
Spears garnered significant media attention following an incident where she shaved her head and attacked paparazzi with an umbrella. She explains that she was grappling with several issues affecting her mental health at the time, including profound grief over her aunt’s death, postpartum depression, and a custody battle with Kevin Federline.
The Struggles of Living Under Her Father’s Watchful Eye
In 2008, after a series of public struggles, Britney’s father, Jaime, was appointed as her conservator. From then on, her every move was scrutinized, with parental controls even installed on her phone. “Too sick to choose my own boyfriend and yet somehow healthy enough to appear on sitcoms and morning shows, and to perform for thousands of people in a different part of the world every week,” Spears recounts.
The Impact of the #FreeBritney Movement
Spears also sheds light on the #FreeBritney movement, which gained momentum around 2018 when the public started realizing the extent of control over Spears’ life. While in a Beverly Hills rehab facility, where she was admitted against her will, Spears recalls a nurse showing her videos of fans holding #FreeBritney signs and advocating for her freedom. “That was the most amazing thing I’d ever seen in my life,” she wrote. “I don’t think people knew how much the #FreeBritney movement meant to me, especially in the beginning.”