The Story

Celebs are telling all.

Spill.

Trust us, they will. If it feels like every celeb is in their author era, well, they kind of are: On Tuesday, Barbra Streisand and Megan Fox released their own buzzy books. That’s after a stack of other mega-famous reads have topped TBR piles this year — including ones by Britney Spears, Kerry Washington, Jada Pinkett Smith, Julia Fox, John Stamos, Pamela Anderson, and, not to be spared, Prince Harry. All of which have some wondering what’s behind the so-called “Autobiographaissance.” Of course, it’s good business. But there’s more to the story.

OK, cliffhanger.

Unlike traditional celeb memoirs (read: glossy portraits with a few carefully chosen revelations), today’s tell-alls are seemingly part of a new chapter, defined by “no-holds-barred honesty.” It’s not just because people can’t get enough celebrity gossip. Rather, social media has made it easier for fans to feel deeply connected to their fave celebs — which, read between the lines, means it’s even more important for celebs to be authentic and forthcoming on the page. Plus, memoirs provide stars, especially women, with the opportunity to share their story, on their terms — something they often can’t get elsewhere. (Worth noting: Even big, sit-down interviews get edited.) That means they can take control of the narrative, whether it’s over royal family feuds, a secret separation, or a highly-publicized conservatorship battle.

theSkimm

Celebs are increasingly becoming their own main characters. And reminding us to never judge a book by its cover.