The pop singer's memoir, 'The Woman in Me,' is out now and addresses variety of subjects.
Britney Spears has called out Ryan Seacrest for his 2007 interview that primarily revolved around her motherhood and custody battle, rather than focusing on her album at the time, Blackout.
In her revealing new memoir, The Woman In Me, the 42-year-old singer takes readers on a journey through her tumultuous life and career, shedding light on her personal struggles and public controversies. One of the key moments she revisits is a 2007 interview with Seacrest.
In the book, obtained by DailyMail, Spears says of her talk with Seacrest, "The only press I did for Blackout was a live radio interview with Ryan Seacrest when it came out in October 2007. In the interview which was supposed to be about the record, Ryan Seacrest asked me questions like, 'How do you respond to those who criticize you as a mom?' And, 'Do you feel like you're doing everything you can for your kids?' And, 'How often will you see them?'"
She continues, "It felt like that was the only thing people wanted to talk about: whether or not I was a fit mother. Not about how I’d made such a strong album while holding two babies on my hips and being pursued by dozens of dangerous men all day every day."
The year 2007 marked a significant low point in Spears' life as she faced a highly publicized mental health crisis. This included her infamous head-shaving incident and an attack on a paparazzi car with an umbrella. In October of that year, she lost physical custody of her two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James, to ex-husband Kevin Federline, who is now 47.
Spears also delves into her court battle over her children in her memoir. She writes about her management team quitting and a bodyguard making accusations about drug use during the custody case.
"A court-appointed parenting coach said that I loved my children and that we were clearly bonded.She also said that there was nothing at all in my home that could be called abuse," Spears states.
Despite the intense scrutiny and challenges, Spears emphasizes that she does not hold ill will toward Seacrest, having been interviewed by him in the years following their 2007 conversation.
That interview took place shortly after Spears' ill-fated performance of the lead album track "Gimme More" at the MTV Video Music Awards. The performance, in which Spears appeared disoriented and struggled with her choreography, shocked fans and received widespread criticism. This event was followed by Spears' hospitalization at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and her subsequent placement on a 5150 involuntary psychiatric hold at the psychiatric ward of Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.
In the years that followed, Spears regained visitation rights with her sons and made a gradual return to the spotlight, with documentary appearances and TV interviews showcasing her journey to recovery. However, Federline retained the majority of custody, ultimately having full custody over their two boys.
Spears' life took another significant turn in February 2008 when she was placed under a conservatorship that was controlled by her father, Jamie Spears, and attorney Andrew Wallet. The conservatorship, which lasted for 13 years, gave her father and attorney control over her assets and finances.
In June 2021, Britney Spears made headlines when she testified in court about the restrictive nature of the conservatorship, revealing that it prevented her from marrying or having another child. Her heartfelt plea for freedom and autonomy struck a chord with the public, leading to widespread support for her cause.
Six months later, in November 2021, a judge officially terminated the conservatorship, granting Spears the freedom to make personal and financial decisions, including her desire to marry and have a child. The termination marked a significant victory for Spears and her fans, as she finally regained control of her life and future.
The Women in Me is out now.
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