Britney Spears’ memoir opens with a memory of her walking through the woods as a child, embracing her freedom. A freedom that, as we all know by now, would not last.The Woman in Me reminds you just how big of a star Spears was, then confronts you with the fact that this didn’t protect her from abuse and exploitation – it enabled it. Without her ‘bad girl’ image, it’s hard to imagine that she would have been under the conservatorship for so long. And with millions of dollars to gain from restricting her freedom, is it any wonder that her dysfunctional family took advantage?

Though reportedly ghost-written by journalist Sam Lansky, the writing is imbued with Spears’ southern charm and sass. As haunting as it can be, Spears’ freedom offers a sense of hope and an opportunity for us to change celebrity culture for the better, if we take it. MG

Published by Gallery UK