In a recent statement, Britney Spears has addressed the claims made by her ex-husband, Kevin Federline, in his forthcoming memoir, "You Thought You Knew." Spears described Federline's portrayal of her as “extremely hurtful and exhausting.” This memoir recounts their tumultuous two-year marriage, which ended in divorce in 2007, and the ensuing custody battle over their two sons, Sean Preston and Jayden James.
In excerpts published by the New York Times, Federline alleges that he witnessed Spears using cocaine while breastfeeding and claims she exhibited erratic behavior around their children. He describes unsettling moments, such as when their sons would wake at night to find Spears silently watching them with a knife in hand. Federline stated that he had not communicated with Spears for years and learned about her alleged behavior through their sons.
Federline also touches on the controversial conservatorship that Spears was under from 2008 to 2021, during which her father controlled her personal and financial affairs. This arrangement led to the formation of the FreeBritney movement, advocating for her independence. In his memoir, Federline suggests that while the movement started with good intentions, supporters should now shift their focus to a “Save Britney” initiative, emphasizing that the current situation is about survival rather than freedom.
On Wednesday, Spears took to social media to dispute Federline's claims, asserting that the “constant gaslighting” from her ex-husband is not only painful but also exhausting. She expressed her desire to have a meaningful relationship with her sons, stating, “I have always pleaded and screamed to have a life with my boys.” The pop icon lamented her limited interactions with her sons, who are now 19 and 20 years old, sharing that one son has only seen her for 45 minutes in the past five years.
Spears further mentioned, “Relationships with teenage boys are complex. They need to take responsibility for themselves.” She expressed her determination to communicate her availability to her sons moving forward. Additionally, Spears criticized Federline's claims, stating that “those white lies in that book” serve only to profit him, leaving her as the one who genuinely suffers.
In her social media statement, Spears conveyed her commitment to living a “sacred and private life” since her release from the conservatorship. A spokesperson for the pop star previously told the New York Times that Federline and others are profiting from her story, particularly now that child support has ended. The spokesperson emphasized that Spears' primary concern is the well-being of her children, Sean Preston and Jayden James.
In her own memoir, The Woman in Me, released in 2023, Spears recounted how Federline attempted to portray her as “completely out of control” during their custody battle, further illustrating the complexities of their relationship.
