The ex-husband of pop star Britney Spears gives new details on the pair's tense relationship in his memoir 'You Thought You Knew.'
Kevin Federline, her one-time backing dancer, presents a picture of Spears's allegedly erratic behavior as a wife and mother, expressing continued concern for her well-being. Spears has spoken out against the book, accusing Federline of trying to profit from his connection to her.
What does the book say about Spears?
Federline makes a number of allegations against Spears in the memoir shared ahead of its release. He accuses her of unhealthy behavior as a mother, including drinking while pregnant and using cocaine during breastfeeding. Federline alleges that their teenage sons were at times fearful of Spears, recalling a troubling incident where she was found standing over them with a knife.
Expressing genuine concern, he writes, The truth is, this situation with Britney feels like it's racing toward something irreversible. Federline also mentions support for a conservatorship that controlled many aspects of her life, stating that he could not fully get behind the Free Britney movement.
What's the history of their relationship?
Federline and Spears's relationship began in the summer of 2004, leading to a quick marriage and the birth of two sons, Preston and Jayden. Their divorce was final in 2007 amidst a contentious custody battle that saw Federline obtain full custody.
Following their split, Spears faced several public incidents that raised concerns regarding her mental health, leading to her being placed under a conservatorship in 2008 that lasted until 2021.
What has Spears said?
Spears has labeled Federline's comments as extremely hurtful and exhausting, indicating she views his promotion of the memoir as an attack on her character. In her own memoir, she alleged that Federline attempted to depict her as mentally unstable.
Through social media, she emphasized her commitment to her sons and expressed sadness over past accusations, stating her focus remains on their well-being.
Why is this happening now?
After years out of the spotlight, Federline decided to share his book after his sons reached an age where he felt they could handle the revelations. His actions come amid heightened interest in Spears's personal life and her social media presence, as he aims to narrate the truth from his perspective.
