Britney Spears recently unveiled her highly-anticipated memoir, “The Woman in Me,” which achieved an impressive feat by selling 1.1 million copies in various formats during its inaugural week on the shelves in the United States. This revelation, announced by the book’s publisher, Gallery Books, places Spears's literary debut on par with some of the best-selling celebrity memoirs in recent memory.
For context, Prince Harry's memoir saw 1.6 million copies sold in the U.S. within a similar time frame, while Mary Trump, the niece of former President Donald J. Trump, achieved 1.4 million copies sold upon its 2020 release.
According to Google Books, Britney Spears captivated the world when she spoke candidly in open court in June 2021. This act of sharing her truth had an undeniable impact, altering the trajectory of her own life and leaving an indelible mark on countless others. "The Woman in Me" unveils, for the first time, her incredible journey and the unwavering strength that defines one of the most iconic performers in the history of pop music.
In a surprising twist, the memoir delves into Britney's reflections on Eminem and his ex-wife. She reveals, "The thought of me betraying him gave the album more angst, gave it a purpose: s–t-talking an unfaithful woman. The hip-hop world of that era loved a storyline with the theme ‘F–k you, b–ch!’ Getting revenge on women for perceived disrespect was all the rage at that time." She references Eminem's incendiary track "Kim" from his 2000 masterpiece, "The Marshall Mathers LP."
This song is infamous for its intense portrayal of anger and hatred towards his then-wife, Kim Mathers. Eminem even goes to the extent of imitating her voice and the song concludes with a harrowing portrayal of him taking her life.
Notably, "Kim" was one of the earliest songs Eminem recorded for the album, born out of the tumultuous period in his relationship with Kim, where she prevented him from seeing their daughter Hailie. Despite its controversial nature, "Kim" remains one of Eminem's most unforgettable and impactful compositions.