As the world finally got to read the best-selling memoir, The Woman in Me, which details the untold side of the pop icon’s fame, that raised many eyebrows among her admirers when they learned some major bombshell revelations that the “I’m a Slave 4 U” singer revealed to the world for the very first time.
Despite being open about her private life, it looks like there are still many media outlets that find new ways to mock or ridicule Spears journey to stardom, the publicized challenges she faced, and her endeavors to break free from a longstanding conservatorship that once controlled her life.
Recently, Saturday Night Live (SNL) aired an episode that has come under a lot of fire on social media as the 41-year-old singer was parodied by Chloe Fineman, 35, on last night’s show which didn’t sit right with many viewers as they slammed and termed the entire spoof as disrespectful. Moreover, the parody sequence of the memoir also includes a viral fake excerpt that never happened in the book, which has fueled more backlash. The skit also sees other cast members impersonating celebrities as they audition to read the audiobook version of the star’s memoir, which, in fact, was done by actress Michelle Williams.
This is not the first time that Fineman has impersonated Britney. She previously played her in 2021 and in 2022. In response to the skit, Spears has not mentioned or released any statement, but her manager, Cade Hudson, didn’t hold back and responded to the parody via Instagram, claiming they tried to get Britney on the show, quote, “Wow. The writers of SNL are getting worse and worse. No wonder you all reached out to me to get Britney on the show… snl is on life support. You all are pathetic and this Chloe isn’t funny. Did you find her on Craigslist or something?”
Hudson shared his comment on social media, according to a Pop Crave screenshot of his reaction on Instagram, as Hudson’s Instagram account is currently private.
The reaction of some followers on X (formerly known as Twitter) was also strong in defense of the pop star, with one user commenting, “exactly and it just feels disrespectful given that the memoir is literally about her trauma.” Whereas another user left a comment stating, “Britney has a sense of humor and has always been able to take a joke but turning her story that includes trauma, heartbreak and the mistreatment she faced for decades in the media into a sketch for SNL that includes excerpts that are not in the memoir is GROSS #BritneySpears”
Another user commented, “Here are a few pitches for SNL sketches about Britney Spears: 1. Spears family members brainstorm moneymaking schemes now that they can’t steal from Britney … but refuse to work normal jobs.” One user even pointed out how the show tends to steal jokes from online platforms by referring to the viral fake excerpt that never happened in the book and was made up by a fan, rather than making some original one of their own, quote, “Further proof that SNL writers steal all their jokes from Twitter.”
In case you missed the episode, check out the entire skit below:
The Woman in Me was published on October 24, 2023, by Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. It received praise from critics. Within a week of its release in the United States, the book became a New York Times best-seller, selling 1.1 million copies in all formats.
As of November 2023, it sold an estimated amount of 2.4 million in print globally. The book release generated significant increases in streaming and sales for Spears. In the four days leading up to the release, her catalog experienced a 21% surge in official on-demand U.S. streams, totaling 8.89 million compared to the previous Friday-to-Monday tracking period (Oct. 13-16), which had 7.34 million streams. Additionally, digital sales in the U.S. for Spears more than doubled during these four-day periods, rising from under 1,000 sales from Oct. 13-16 to 2,300 a week later.
The official synopsis of the memoir reads:
In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last.
The memoir is now available to purchase through the official website.
It’s happening ✨🤓📖 !!! My book is the highest selling celebrity memoir in history and it’s only day 1 !!! Thank you to the fans who have been so supportive !!! Love you all 🌹 !!! #TheWomaninMe @gallerybooks @simonandschuster pic.twitter.com/62ti4sUb4h
— Britney Spears 🌹🚀 (@britneyspears) October 25, 2023