Kevin Federline’s revealing memoir “You Thought You Knew” sent Britney Spears into a “downhill” spiral that ultimately led to her DUI arrest on Thursday.
“But the truth is that things like this have been going on for a while,” a source close to the pop star told Page Six after she was taken into custody. “In recent months, her behavior has become increasingly erratic. She has gone from energetic to lethargic.”
The source continued, “What really pushed her over the edge was Kevin’s book, and it was all downhill from there. It had a big impact on her emotionally.”
The source also said that even though Spears “felt like she gave Kevin everything he wanted over the years” and “paid him a lot of money,” he still “exploited her” in the memoir.
“He took advantage of her. He wanted to destroy her,” the source said. “And that was a really hard pill to swallow. She definitely died that someone would try to do this much damage to her.”
Spears, 44, was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of drunk driving after she was spotted swerving in and out of the road in her BMW.
Page Six confirmed that the “Oops!…I Did It Again” singer was handcuffed by the California Highway Patrol in Ventura County, California at around 9:28 p.m. local time and arrested at 3:02 a.m.
Spears was also reportedly taken to the hospital where authorities had blood drawn to determine her blood alcohol level. She was released from police custody at 6:07 a.m. Thursday and a court date is scheduled for May 4.
The “Toxic” hitmaker’s DUI arrest comes five months after Federline published his shocking book.
Ms Federline, 47, made a number of shocking allegations in her more than 200-page memoir, including claims that she often displayed “abnormal behavior”, including taking cocaine while breastfeeding her two sons and standing at their sons’ door in the middle of the night with a knife.
The backup dancer-turned-DJ also claimed that Spears had been drinking during her pregnancy and expressed concern that the pop superstar’s life was “hurting towards something irreversible.”
Spears, who has denied Federline’s claims, said in a post on X shortly before the book’s release that her ex-girlfriend’s “constant gaslighting” was “extremely hurtful” and “tiring.”
She also accused Mr. Federline of “profiting off of[her]pain” in his memoir.
“Trust me, the white lies in that book are going straight to the bank. And the only one really hurt here is me,” the “Stronger” singer tweeted in October about her ex-boyfriend’s alleged false and hurtful statements about her.
Spears and Federline married in September 2004 in an impromptu ceremony in Studio City, California.
The couple had sons Sean Preston, 20, and Jayden James, 19, but separated in 2006 and divorced the following year.
Meanwhile, the “Womanizer” singer’s manager said in a statement to Page Six on Thursday that the DUI arrest was “a completely unacceptable and unfortunate incident.”
“Britney intends to take the right steps and abide by the law. We hope this is the first step in the long-awaited changes that are to occur in Britney’s life,” manager Kate Hudson said. “I hope she gets the help and support she needs during this difficult time.”
Hudson also said that Sean and Jaden are “going to spend time together” following the Grammy winner’s arrest, and that her “loved ones will be making much-needed plans to help her find happiness and success.”
