Social media users expressed sorrow after Britney Spears revealed in her new memoir that Justin Timberlake allegedly pressured her to have an abortion at age 19.

Spears and Timberlake dated from 1999-2002.

The memoir entitled, "The Woman in Me," describes Spears' "story about freedom, fame, motherhood, survival, faith, and hope." The release is set for Oct. 24, 2023.

People Magazine unveiled a portion of the book where Spears describes her pregnancy with Timberlake:

“It was a surprise, but for me, it wasn’t a tragedy. I loved Justin so much. I always expected us to have a family together one day. This would just be much earlier than I’d anticipated."
“But Justin definitely wasn’t happy about the pregnancy. He said we weren’t ready to have a baby in our lives, that we were way too young."
"If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it. And yet Justin was so sure that he didn’t want to be a father."

Spears then described the abortion as " one of the most agonizing" experiences of her life:

“To this day, it’s one of the most agonizing things I have ever experienced in my life."

Social media erupted with comments, most especially expressing deep sorrow for her grief.

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America issued a statement to Spears, along with "every woman who has endured an unwanted abortion."

"Our hearts go out to Britney Spears and every woman who has endured an unwanted abortion," the statement reads. "She has carried this pain of losing her child for two decades, calling it one of the most agonizing experiences of her life."

"We hope Britney's bravery to share her deeply personal wound will give other women the courage to voice their stories of abortion coercion," the SBA continues. "We should all agree that no woman should endure a painful abortion that she truly does not want."

40 Days for Life also commented on Spears' story.

"Britney Spears's revelation about her abortion underscores a harsh truth: decisions are too often not solely in the woman's hands. 'If it had been left up to me alone, I never would have done it.' Men, it's time to step up and take accountability."

Some users speculate that Spears' 2003 video "Everytime" was really about her aborted baby. Many assumed she wrote the song about Timberlake.

However, the final portion of the video shows Spears in a hospital watching a young woman have a baby. The video then concludes with a close-up of a newborn.

(Warning: video contains explicit content.)

Some of the lyrics read,

"What have I done?
You seem to move uneasy."
"Please, forgive me / My weakness caused you pain / And this song's my sorry."
"Every time I see you in my dreams / I see your face / You're haunting me / I guess I need you, baby."

Countless social media users expressed deep sorrow for Spears' pain, especially in the video's comments on YouTube.

Ashleigh Thomas "cried her eyes out" after she said a man pressured her into an abortion.

"Like everyone else, listening to this with a new perspective, the user said. "I'll have this on repeat for a while thinking of what my unborn child would be like today."

Krystal Bingham commented, "It's not easy losing a child no matter how it happened. This woman struggles every day with her choice and being silenced. I'm so sorry Britney."

YouTube user Anna added, "Now we understand why the melody sounds like a lullaby..."

Let us pray for Spears and all those enduring the pain of abortion.

Prayer for Healing After Abortion

Eternal Father,
Source of all mercy and love,
out of love for us, you sent your Son
and willed that blood and water flow
from his side to cleanse us of sin
and restore lost innocence.

Hear the cry of each woman
who mourns the loss of her child to abortion.
Forgive her sin,
restore her to your grace,
and still the terror of her heart
with a peace beyond all understanding.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary,
Mother of all tenderness and our Mother,
strengthen her faith in you.
Give her the consolation to believe
that her child is now living in the Lord.

We ask this through Christ our Lord,
who conquered sin and death,
and who lives and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, forever and ever.

Amen.

Prayer Source: Project Rachel / Msgr. James Moroney

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