Let Britney Tell Her Story The Way She Intended
On Britney's memoir
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We should’ve seen this coming from a mile away.
When it was announced that Britney Spears was writing a memoir, the world celebrated. Finally, after years of being controlled by her father and others around her via an unjust conservatorship, Britney would be able to tell her story, on her own terms, in her own words. For over a decade, every single word Britney said in public was filtered and guided and manipulated so that she didn’t ruffle any feathers or ruin the arrangement for the leeches in her life. “The Woman in Me,” her memoir out on October 24, changes that. Or does it?
Throughout this week, as excerpts and leaks and sources came out of the woodwork in the lead-up to the book’s release, it felt as though history was repeating itself. At the faintest whiff of a juicy detail that would make for a clicky headline, outlets pounced and immediately forgot the purpose of Britney’s book to begin with. Story after story littered my newsfeed announcing a new revelation that was to come from the tome about Britney’s life two decades ago. The reveals were taken out of context and framed in as scandalous a nature as possible. We’ve seen this film before, and I didn’t like the ending.
To see how quickly people were forgetting that this was finally her moment to tell her story in full, the way she wanted and felt comfortable doing so wasn’t shocking, but it was disappointing. Sure, releasing noteworthy details revealed in a celebrity memoir comes with the territory of promoting said book, and I’m sure it’s what helps them to sell. Britney’s on track to break Prince Harry’s record for fastest-selling non-fiction book of all time, which he set earlier this year when he sold 3 million copies of “Spare” in its first week. “The Woman in Me” has reportedly already sold 9 million copies via preorder.
But I’d hoped that the media would’ve demonstrated that they’d learned something that even resembled a lesson when it came to Britney, that maybe people would show some restraint when dissecting these previously unknown details about her life and her relationship with Justin Timberlake and her conservatorship. Of course, that’s not what is happening. People are devouring stories about Miss American Dream Since She Was 17 just like it’s 2007 again.
Even Britney herself is bothered by it. As she wrote on Instagram today, “I don’t like the headlines I am reading … that’s exactly why I quite the business 4 years ago !!!”
Not to be all holier than thou, but instead of clicking on story after story regurgitating what they deem to be the most interesting parts of her book, I’d prefer to wait and read Britney’s story in context, as she intended, when “The Woman in Me” comes out next week.
Read
The best editorial photo shoot from the “RHONY” reboot dropped this week, and it was a win for Taank Tops around the globe. Jessel Taank slays in the photo spread for her Rolling Stone feature, and the accompanying article is just as great — especially when you consider that she and the writer, my friend Louis Staples, didn’t exactly start off on the right foot. (Louis Staples for Rolling Stone)
Literally obsessed with anything Fran Lebowitz does, and this latest Q&A where she shares her opinions on current online and pop culture trends is no exception. A perfect read. (Sophie Vershbow for Esquire)
One reason why Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce work so well? He’s the Taylor Swift of the NFL. (Will Leitch for Intelligencer)
If you also watched and loved “Beckham” on Netflix recently, it’s worth then reading this review of the four-part docu-series, which calls attention to a few of its flaws. It didn’t change how I feel about the highly entertaining series, but it did make me think about it a bit differently. (Nicholas Quah for Vulture)
A really delightful interview with the director of “Crossroads,” which was unfairly maligned when it initially came out 20 years ago. I loved what she says about Britney in this, and I can’t wait to see the movie in theaters on Monday. (Savannah Walsh for Vanity Fair)
Being a WAG has never been cooler. (Louis Staples for Bustle)
There were also a lot of great articles this week centered around The Eras Tour film, which came out last weekend:
The best review I’ve read about the film. (Craig Jenkins for Vulture)
How the Eras Tour film is indicative of how movie theaters should be rethinking what gets people to show up. (Sam Adams for Slate)
Some behind-the-scenes details of what goes into making concert films like the Eras Tour one — including a lot of editing magic. (Calum Marsh for the New York Times)
Listen
“Search Engine”
I recently got into this show, hosted by former “Reply All” co-host PJ Vogt. Each week, he tackles one big, unanswered question that might be something you’d Google to get the answer to. The episodes run the gamut from the more serious to things on the quirkier side. Some of my favorites have answered questions like “should I really not be drinking airplane coffee?” and “how sad are the monkeys at the zoo?”
Watch
“The New York Times Presents: How To Fix a Pageant” (FX on Hulu)
A comprehensive, fascinating look at the history of beauty pageants, how they lost relevancy in culture and the recent scandal that rocked Miss USA.
Reneé Rapp Performs “Tennessee Whiskey” with War & Treaty (TikTok)
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Ear candy.
Self-Promotion
“We Should Talk” feat. Cameron Rogers
This week on my podcast for In The Know is Cameron Rogers, who used to go by Freckled Foodie online before broadening the breadth of what she covers online when she became a mom. We had a great conversation about the nature of being a parent online, how children affect adult friendships and more.
Currently
Another weekend of rain in New York City incoming!!! Seeing Jessie Ware at Terminal 5 tonight to dance the pain away.