Star Britney Spears’ life took a remarkable turn at the tender age of 11 when she secured a spot on The Mickey Mouse Club, a move that would shape her destiny in the world of entertainment. In her forthcoming memoir, “The Woman in Me,” the now 41-year-old pop sensation reminisces about her time on the Disney Channel variety show alongside fellow future stars like Christina Aguilera, Ryan Gosling, and Justin Timberlake.
In her book, Spears reflects on the demanding nature of the show, describing it as a boot camp for the entertainment industry. The young Mouseketeers underwent extensive dance rehearsals, singing lessons, acting classes, recording studio sessions, and schooling in between. The group naturally formed cliques, and Spears shared a dressing room with Christina Aguilera. The older kids like Keri Russell, Ryan Gosling, and Tony Lucca were idols to them. Notably, Spears quickly formed a connection with a young Justin Timberlake.
“The Mickey Mouse Club was honestly a kids dream – unbelievably fun, particularly for a kid like me. But it was also exceptionally hard work: we would run choreography thirty times in a day, trying to get every step perfect,” Spears recalls.
Spears also shares personal anecdotes from her off-set experiences, including a memorable moment during a sleepover. “Once at a sleepover, we played Truth or Dare, and someone dared Justin to kiss me. A Janet Jackson song was playing in the background as he leaned in and kissed me,” she writes.
When the show eventually concluded a year and a half later, Spears faced a pivotal decision. She writes, “I decided to go back to Kentwood,” her hometown in Louisiana. Her inner conflict was palpable – the desire to pursue her dreams against the longing for a normal life in Louisiana. For a brief period, she chose normalcy.
Spears’ stint on The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993 to 1994 proved to be a launching pad for her and many of her fellow castmates who went on to achieve massive stardom.
“The Woman in Me” delves into Spears’ journey from a young starlet to a mega pop sensation. It also explores her past relationships and the harrowing experience of being under a conservatorship from 2008 to 2021. This memoir represents a significant shift for Spears, finally free to share her story in her own words after years of being silenced.
“The Woman in Me” is highly anticipated and is scheduled for release on October 24 through Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. For an exclusive excerpt and interview with Britney Spears, you can find more in the latest issue of PEOPLE, available at newsstands on Friday.
Also read: John Stamos Memoir: Love, Betrayal, and the Unlikely Twist of Fate
Our Reader’s Queries
When did Britney Spears come out?
In 1997, Spears inked a deal with American record label Jive Records to kickstart her career. She burst onto the charts in November 1998 with her hit single “… Baby One More Time”, and went on to drop her first studio album, also titled … Baby One More Time, in 1999.
Who is the youngest singer to ever get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
In 2003, Britney Spears, at the youthful age of 21, made history as the youngest singer to receive a star on the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame.
What is the meaning behind Lucky Britney Spears?
Britney Spears’ “Lucky” delves into the dichotomy of a celebrity’s outward image versus their private battles. The song tells the story of Lucky, a seemingly perfect young woman with wealth, fame, and a devoted fan base, but who actually feels isolated and unfulfilled.