Britney Spears: 'It's refreshing to see her in control', say fans

Seeing Britney Spears tell her own story in her own words is something her fans have wanted for years.

"To get something from Britney's actual mouth, is just extremely special to us," says superfan Lucy Rose, who has spent most of her career touring the UK as a Britney impersonator.

The singer's new book deals with her experience of living under a court-imposed order which had given Britney's dad, Jamie Spears, control over many aspects of her life for 13 years.

It's only been two years since she's been able to be open with the wider world after that arrangement - known as a conservatorship - was dissolved.

Fans like Lucy, 34, say the star's honest account makes it a must read, and she's hopeful Britney "sets the record straight" on rumours that have circulated around her for years.

"I don't feel like she's ever answered them," she says. "She's handled it really well and just risen above it all of the time."

In the memoir, Britney details how everything from her finances and access to her children down to what she was allowed to eat and drink were controlled and monitored.

Hearing her idol's version of events will be taken as "gospel", Lucy Rose adds. "So it's a big deal."

Britney's openness and the significance of her being able to at last tell her own story is what has struck fans like 28-year-old Kurt from Sheffield.

"It's refreshing from a fans' point of view just to see her in control again and to get a more authentic person," he says.

"Because it's coming directly from Britney, I think a lot of fans can rejoice for the first time," says Kurt.

"It just obviously makes me want to rally around her more."

He couldn't wait to get his hands on a copy of his idol's book and spent Monday at a special screening of Crossroads, a 2002 film starring the singer, while he waited for the book to be released.

But not everyone had to wait so long. Podcasters Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton got exclusive early access and have already devoured it cover to cover.

"I read it in one sitting, non-stop," says Claire.

The New York-based duo host a Celebrity Memoir Book Club podcast and Claire says "we like to think we did our undergrad in Britney and our masters".

Reflecting on what she's read, Ashley feels "there is a lot of tragedy in these pages".

"And it is not tragedy that happens by accident. It is pain that was inflicted on her by the people who in her life are supposed to protect her."

One thing Britney addresses in the book is her high-profile relationships - particularly with Justin Timberlake - and the way she was portrayed as unfaithful and promiscuous.

"Justin Timberlake, Kevin Federline, her dad, her mum, her sister - everyone who should have loved her, let her down," says Ashley.

"And she expresses the truth of what happened and then releases it."

Readers looking for new revelations might be disappointed as Claire says the book is "just confirmation of all the worst rumours".

And while some celebrity memoirs might be accused of presenting stars in the most positive light, "we really do get to know her through this book," says Ashley.

Another place we get to see Britney being her authentic self is social media, says Lucy Rose, particularly on Instagram.

Recent videos of her dancing with what appear to be knives sparked concern and Britney has previously criticised fans who have reported welfare worries to police.

"So unacceptable for cops to listen to random fans and come in to my home unwarranted," she posted on Instagram, saying they were "not real knives".

"People are saying she's crazy, they're making up conspiracy theories, saying it's not Britney," says Lucy Rose.

But she thinks at the moment "Britney is showing you what she wants to show you".

"I think we're just so used to seeing celebrities perfect and she doesn't care. She doesn't care if her hair's a mess, or makeup's around her eyes.

"I've gained of a lot of respect for her lately, since she's been free.

"I've learned that she's very strong and courageous," she adds.

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