FFO: celebrity lifestyles, early 2000s culture, “… Baby One More Time”
My introduction to Britney Spears was through the “Oops!…I Did It Again” music video. The red spandex. The beating heart choreography. The close-ups of her face, with the twinkle of the set lights in her eyes. I was about seven years old, in the family living room, gawking at the television screen with my best friend. We were in awe of the pop princess, and we wanted to be just as cool as her.
I can imagine that this legendary video introduced a lot of fans to the one and only Brit Brit, and for some, they probably still see her as this iconic femme fatale. When she hit her stride in the early aughts, she was unstoppable. Touring the world, releasing hit after hit, snagging notable magazine covers, appearing on endless talk shows, and of course, dropping music videos with incredible choreography… Girls looked up to her, for she could be sweet and wholesome but also turn it on and perform when needed—but for Britney, the performance lasted 24/7.
In Waiting for Britney Spears: A True Story, Allegedly, journalist Jeff Weiss shares the side of Britney Spears that was made famous by paparazzi and tabloids. The side that was messy, tainted by the demands of Hollywood and very anti-“America’s Sweetheart.” It was the side that nobody wanted for the talented pop icon, yet people could not get enough of it. And Weiss had a front row seat to this side, whether he wanted to or not.
After obtaining a job as a “spy” for a celebrity gossip magazine, Weiss was sent to all of the hot spots in town. His mission? To obtain as much info as he could on all of the latest stars, including Britney Spears. Whether he was at a fancy party or a hotel in Vegas, he was just trying to find out more about what made Britney tick. Who was she dating? What did she buy on her latest shopping spree? Who did she just take with her into the club? In the end, he offers an unconventional look at pop stardom.
We all know that the entertainment business is not very forgiving. In turn, a star’s personal life can become more fascinating than their work on screen or on the stage. People don’t care if a celebrity wants to be private, so if something happens that is a little controversial or out of the ordinary, they will eat it up and make sure this “something” never dies. This is the case that Weiss makes throughout the book, as he reported on Britney’s infamous Vegas wedding, her whirlwind romance and eventual marriage to Kevin Federline, her struggle just to get to a nearby Starbucks—which resulted in her driving with her newborn baby on her lap—her nights out with Paris Hilton, the spontaneous hair-shaving and umbrella moment…
Every chapter uncovers specific details of Britney’s journey, from her concerning behavior at a photoshoot (where she also blew off an interview with Weiss) to a breakdown that involved holding one of her babies as a hostage in a bathroom. One of the chapters that stands out to me, however, is about her opening performance at the 2007 VMAs. Weiss recounts the hour and a half lead-up to showtime, where he spent the time outside of Britney’s dressing room. Here, we learn how against the performance Britney was, the people who tried to encourage her to get on the stage, and how she ended up in the tawdry bra and panties outfit.
It’s clear that Weiss felt for the star, as he saw first-hand that she was having a tough time balancing her personal life, her mental health, and her career. She was young, she was popular, she was a new mom, a new wife, rich… But all the money and love in the world couldn’t save her from herself. As Britney’s story became more 911 and emergency-oriented, Weiss needed to decide where to draw the line. It might have been a fan’s business to know what Britney’s new music would sound like or which songs she would perform at the VMAs, but the rehab stints? The fight to see her own children? When do you step back and when do you step in?
In the end, Weiss really captures the toxic relationship that Britney had with fame. At the same time, he shows that Britney was doing all she could to make it through. She wasn’t just on a chaotic bender. She was dealing with too much to fully comprehend.
Before reading Waiting for Britney Spears: A True Story, Allegedly, I viewed Britney Spears as a tragic case. Someone who had it all and never fully recovered. After reading Weiss’ book, I see Britney in a different light. She was just trying to navigate her success, in a climate that was unfair to her. I don’t think she is too far removed from anyone else. From you. From myself. Anyone in Britney’s position might have made the same reckless decisions. Her star just rose too quickly, and naturally, it burned out of control—for all of the world to watch.
Waiting for Britney Spears: A True Story, Allegedly by Jeff Weiss is available now via MCD, an imprint of Farrar, Straus and Giroux. You can order a copy here.
