Britney Spears Reveals Why She Was ‘Hurt’ By Old Friends Amid Memoir Release
By Kristin Myers on October 20, 2023 at 5:00 PM EDT
Pop star Britney Spears is opening up about what it was like to see herself portrayed in various documentaries in her new memoir, "The Woman In Me."
Some of those documentaries did not feature Britney herself, but they did portray her famous friends speaking for and about her. In her tell-all book, the now-41-year-old pop star addresses feeling "hurt" by her "old friends" for talking to the media about her life.
Britney Spears Laments How Many Documentaries Were Made About Her Life
In an excerpt of “The Woman In Me” published by The New York Times on Thursday, Britney laments how many documentaries were made about her life. “It felt like every day there was another documentary about me on yet another streaming service,” she wrote in her memoir.
“Seeing the documentaries about me was rough. I understand that everyone’s heart was in the right place, but I was hurt that some old friends spoke to filmmakers without consulting me first,” she continued. “There was so much guessing about what I must have thought or felt.”
The March 2021 New York Times Presents “Framing Britney Spears” documentary explored her 13-year conservatorship and her intense legal battle with her father, Jamie Spears. Although the special reignited the #FreeBritney movement, Britney called out the documentary in the caption of a lengthy Instagram post.
“My life has always been very speculated … watched … and judged really my whole life !! For my sanity I need to dance to [Steven Tyler] every night of my life to feel wild and human and alive,” she wrote at the time, as per Us Weekly.
“I have been exposed my whole life performing in front of people!!! It takes a lot of strength to TRUST the universe with your real vulnerability cause I’ve always been so judged … insulted … and embarrassed by the media … and I still am till this day!!!” she continued. “As the world keeps on turning and life goes on we still remain so fragile and sensitive as people!!”
Britney went on to admit that she didn’t watch the documentary but was “embarrassed” by what she heard about it in the media. “I didn’t watch the documentary but from what I did see of it I was embarrassed by the light they put me in … I cried for two weeks and well …. I still cry sometimes,” she confessed. “I do what I can in my own spirituality with myself to try and keep my own joy … love … and happiness!!! Every day dancing brings me joy!!! I’m not here to be perfect … perfect is boring … I’m here to pass on kindness!!!!”
A few days after her Instagram post, a source told Us Weekly that the “Toxic” singer had been “embarrassed” by the documentary because “her kids are at the age where they can access it,” referring to Sean Preston, 18, and Jayden James, 17.
“It’s turned into a nightmare for her because she can’t imagine what her kids are going to think now, and it’s certainly triggered some emotions from her past. She’s a major pop star, but she’s still a human being who is super sensitive and, sadly, is really affected by the public’s opinion about her. She’s not oblivious to what is being [said] about her in the news and some days she reaches a breaking point,” the source added.
Britney Explains Why She Wrote 'The Woman In Me'
On Friday afternoon, Britney took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram, to share her “motive” for writing her new memoir. She began, "My book's purpose was not to offend anyone by any means !!! That was me then ...that is in the past !!! I don't like the headlines I am reading ...that's exactly why I quit the business 4 years ago !!! Most of the book is from 20 years ago ... I have moved on and it's a beautiful clean slate from here !!! 1 am here to establish it that way for the rest of my entire life !!!"
She continued, "Either way, that is the last of it and s--- happens !! This is actually a book didn't know needed to be written ... although some might be offended, it has given me closure on all things for a better future !!! Hopefully I can enlighten people who feel particularly alone in most cases or hurt or misunderstood !!! Again, my motive for this book was not to harp on my past experiences which is what the press is doing and it's dumb and silly !!! I have moved on since then !! #TheWomaninMe."
Britney Spears' memoir "The Woman In Me" is scheduled for release on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.
