Britney Spears’ highly anticipated book, titled “The Woman in Me,” lays bare a nightmarish tale of relentless public gaslighting, an abusive family dynamic, and the societal role in perpetuating the exploitation of female child stars. While some of these details were known over the years, the book delves deep into the extent of control exerted over her, particularly in light of the conservatorship that finally ended in November 2021.

Spears is undeniably one of the most successful and celebrated entertainers in music history, with over 100 million records sold worldwide. In 2021, she was even recognised as one of Time magazine’s “100 Most Influential People.” Spears’ first song was “Baby One More Time,” released in 1998.

The hidden horrors of coercive control

The glaring and disturbing reality is that this coercive control and abuse took place right under the spotlight, with seemingly no repercussions for more than a decade. It underscores the unsettling notion that society often values women primarily for their entertainment value and nothing more. Spears’ moments of what she describes as ‘spiralling’ often appear to be a natural response to grief and compounded trauma.

In the memoir, the multiplatinum pop icon candidly confesses, “I am willing to admit that in the throes of severe postpartum depression, abandonment by my husband, the torture of being separated from my two babies, the death of my adored aunt Sandra, and the constant drumbeat of pressure from paparazzi, I’d begun to think in some ways like a child.”

Societal expectations and the #MeToo paradox

The public’s reaction to her struggles often mirrors the historical portrayal of women as “hysterical,” reinforcing the idea that they need to be controlled or institutionalised if they deviate from societal expectations. Dr. Pragya Agarwal, the author of “Hysterical,” points out that the term “hysteria” has historically been tied to women’s bodies, dating back to Ancient Greek beliefs in a “wandering” uterus causing emotional and physical disruptions. Sadly, even in modern times, the term “hysterical” continues to be used in a gendered and demeaning manner.

The book sheds light on moments when Spears was at her most vulnerable, such as when her former husband, Kevin Federline, gained control of her children. She vividly recalls, “The paparazzi watched it all happen. I can’t describe the humiliation I felt […] I was out being chased, like always, by these men waiting for me to do something they could photograph. And so that night I gave them some material. I went into a hair salon, and I took the clippers, and I shaved off all my hair.”

Dr. Agarwal’s book includes a survey of over 500 women, revealing that 98% of them had been told to smile by strangers at some point in their lives. For more than 15% of them, this happened nearly twice a week. The singer’s experiences reflect the same societal pressures and expectations that women continue to combat.

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The memoir unveils a shocking lack of autonomy, as she recounts how her father would dismiss her financial records and assert, “I call the shots. You sit right there in that chair, and I’ll tell you what goes on… ‘I’m Britney Spears now,’ he said.” Dr. Agarwal argues that the historical pattern of men in power using women’s emotions to diminish their autonomy aligns with this dark history of hysteria.

The #MeToo movement finds resonance in this book, as it becomes evident that she faced ambiguous reactions compared to her male counterparts, notably Justin Timberlake, who faced far less scrutiny and criticism. She alleges that her family profited immensely from her career, and at one point, she was institutionalised repeatedly for wanting to prioritise spending time with her children over work. This sparked the #FreeBritney movement, which ultimately led to the end of her conservatorship. Spears reveals that for 13 years, she was unable to secure legal representation due to the binding nature of her agreement, a falsehood perpetuated by her family.

She vividly describes her lack of freedom, saying, “At various times I pushed back, especially when my father took away access to my cell phone. I would be smuggled a private phone and try to break free. But they always caught me.” At one point, she even admits to feeling frightened, suspecting that “they did want to kill me.”

Her former business manager, Lou Taylor’s company, Tri Star, received a 5% cut of her earnings from her $130 million Circus Tour. She adds, “My father (Jamie) got a percentage, too, plus, throughout the conservatorship, about $16,000 a month, more than he’d ever made before. He profited heavily from the conservatorship, becoming a multimillionaire.”

Exploitation of child stars and the ongoing battle

Her story stresses the urgent need to address the exploitation of child stars by those around them. Sadly, this issue continues to persist, as evidenced by the sexualisation of young celebrities like Millie Bobby Brown and artist Billie Eilish. The “Toxic” singer herself acknowledges this, explaining her reasons for modelling and showcasing her body on social media, stating, “Even though some people online thought it was odd, I didn’t care. When you’ve been sexualized your whole life, it feels good to be in complete control of the wardrobe and the camera.”

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At times, the memoir reads like a chilling true crime narrative, especially as it delves into the details of the conservatorship. It wouldn’t be surprising if it eventually becomes the subject of yet another Netflix documentary.

In the end, Britney Spears asserts that if she makes mistakes now, at least they will be on her own terms. Her recent relationship with ex-husband Sam Asghari, who some view as following in the footsteps of Federline, exemplifies the tragic narrative of her life. Regardless of her wealth and fame, her story serves as a stark reminder of how society continues to subject women to suffering for issues they’ve been unfairly vilified for over centuries.