Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new edition of Lil Red’s Book Club! After attempting to read the most boring book of all time, I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into the much anticipated memoir by Britney Spears called The Woman In Me. My sister and I are diehard Britney fans and have been since our youth. She is and always will be the Princess of Pop and the news of the abuse she suffered under her conservatorship simply devastated us. Being able to read Britney’s story in her own words after she was silenced for so long was a gift and this book was truly unputdownable. Before we begin our spoiler free review, I will be placing a trigger warning on The Woman In Me for physical, mental, and emotional abuse and disturbing content. Now, let’s get to it:
The Woman In Me chronicles Britney Spears’ life from her youth to the end of her conservatorship. Growing up, Britney lived with her parents and older brother (Jamie Lynn wouldn’t be born until years later). They were extremely poor and Britney’s mom and dad had a tumultuous relationship. Her father, Jamie, was an alcoholic who would disappear for days on end. Her mother, Lynne, shared a love for the drink as well and was extremely vocal in her displeasure towards Jamie. Britney can recall being kept up at night listening to her mother scream, padding into the living room, and begging them both to be quiet and go to bed.
Despite the sadness of growing up in a family so broken, Britney found joy in singing and entertaining her family and neighborhood friends. Everyone knew she was someone special and Britney was determined to make her dream to be a singer and dancer come true. Britney’s mom signed her up for dancing and acting classes and began signing her up for talent shows that her daughter shined in. She soon had an agent and auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club. She was rejected for being too young and ended up working in New York City as an understudy for a Broadway show.
After a year or so, Britney auditioned for the Mickey Mouse Club again and earned the part. She spent long hours in rehearsal and enjoyed her time with her follow cast. Especially her soon to be love, Justin Timberlake. After the Mickey Mouse Club ended, Britney and her parents decided that she should pursue a career as a solo artist. She began working on her single “…Baby One More Time”, which would elevate her into pop stardom.
After the raging success of her first song, Britney became a household name and was on cloud nine. Tours, awards, having fun, and living her dream. She began dating Justin and believed in her heart of hearts that she found love. Unfortunately, her and Justin didn’t stay together for forever like she imagined. He ended up breaking up with her and she was left in pure shock from the betrayal of the man she wanted to marry. While Justin lived his best life, she described herself as “comatose” in her family home in Louisiana.
The breakup left Britney in a bad place and began her public downward spiral. She had one unsuccessful relationship after the next and was consistently hounded by the paparazzi. Her light during this time was finding Kevin Federline, marrying him, and having her two beloved sons. Things were great with Kevin for a while, until they weren’t. He would deny her access to her children and they filed for divorce. During this time, Britney was suffering from severe postpartum depression and was breaking down in front of the world.
Her public outbursts led people to believe that she was mentally unstable and incapable of caring for herself. So her dad did what any father would do and placed her under a conservatorship. In this arrangement, he had complete control of not only her finances but her entire life. When Jamie said jump, she had to ask how high. She was worked to the bone, denied the food she wanted to eat, and could barely see her children. Britney was subjected to unwanted treatment in rehab facilities that led her to be put on lithium. All the while, the lawyer who she was appointed to was less than helpful and she was never made aware that she could request her own counsel.
After the rehab stint that put Britney on lithium, she was done. She was hurt, angry, and completely traumatized and realized that she had enough. Britney also found that she had the strength to change things and was uplifted by the #FreeBritney movement. She fought tirelessly to come out from under her father’s thumb after thirteen years of living as a prisoner and won. After living for other people for so long, Britney is now learning to live for herself, have fun, and be her own woman.
Reading The Woman In Me was a heart wrenching experience. I was well aware of everything that was touched on in her memoir, but it is so different when you’re reading it and it’s coming directly from her. The book was honestly like reading something that was written by a high school student and that made me sad. It really was a direct reflection of how stunted she was in her life and made it hard to remember that she’s a woman in her forties. While this book was upsetting to read in that sense, it was also extremely endearing and her words and humor still made me smile.
What amazed me in this book was Britney’s strength. It was something that she didn’t believe that she had, but it’s so apparent on every page that she has always been a warrior. Even on her darkest days, she still found something to hope for and dream about. It was empowering when Britney chose to fight rather than continue to be victimized by her father. She has always been someone special to me and even though The Woman In Me made me an emotional wreck, it made me proud most of all. My biggest hope for her is to find her happiness and I know that she will be able to achieve it. ❤
I am going to rate The Woman In me with the coveted ten out of ten stars. Britney’s memoir was worth the hype and so much more. I cannot recommend it enough and it is a must read if you are a forever fan of the Princess of Pop!
What is your favorite celebrity memoir? What is your favorite Britney Spears song? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah
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