True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself
Encyclopedia
True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself is a self-help
book co-authored by American entertainer Janet Jackson
and biographer David Ritz
, released on February 15, 2011. In the book, Jackson opens up about her struggles with food, body image, and relationships. It topped The New York Times Best Seller list in the Hardcover Advice and Misc. section the week of March 6, 2011 but failed to make the combined chart.
In an interview with USA Today
, Jackson was candid about what would be included in the book, saying "I've had issues since I was a child. I wasn't heavy, but people made me feel like I was, I was told I needed to lose weight. And they'd bind my chest, because I already had breasts. At a young age, I was being told I wasn't good enough. So the book is about self-esteem as well".
The online media newspaper "Popeater
" published an exclusive interview with Janet involving the book. Talking about the writing process, Janet admitted "The whole book was difficult to write. I am a very private person. I guess I always have been, even as a child. I am not accustomed to revealing that much about myself." She also said that the goal of the book is to make people feel like they're "not alone".
called the book a "mash-up of celebrity tell-nothing, dysfunction memoir and Oprah-ready self-help", complaining that the book lacked a structured narrative and suggesting that for people to really get to know Jackson "cue up Control (album)
or Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
".
The week of March 6th, 2011, the book hit the number one spot on The New York Times Best Seller list's Hardcover Advice and Misc. section and number five on the overall chart.
Janet sold the book at each stop on her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal
tour in 2011.
Self-help
Self-help, or self-improvement, is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. There are many different self-help movements and each has its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders...
book co-authored by American entertainer Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
and biographer David Ritz
David Ritz
David Ritz is an American author, most of whose books are biographies of soul music and R&B legends such as Ray Charles, Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, and Janet Jackson. On four occasions, his co-authored autobiographies of musicians have been awarded the Ralph J...
, released on February 15, 2011. In the book, Jackson opens up about her struggles with food, body image, and relationships. It topped The New York Times Best Seller list in the Hardcover Advice and Misc. section the week of March 6, 2011 but failed to make the combined chart.
Background
Janet's book deals with self-esteem, self-love, and how to feel good about one's body. Her book consists of personal anecdotes, pictures of her at different stages in her life, and an essay from her personal trainer combined with some of Janet's favorite recipes.In an interview with USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
, Jackson was candid about what would be included in the book, saying "I've had issues since I was a child. I wasn't heavy, but people made me feel like I was, I was told I needed to lose weight. And they'd bind my chest, because I already had breasts. At a young age, I was being told I wasn't good enough. So the book is about self-esteem as well".
The online media newspaper "Popeater
Popeater
PopEater.com was an American gossip news web site owned by AOL Television. It was one of the most popular gossip blogs in America, ranking in the top 20s on Technorati's Top 100 and ranks #28 on Pikimal. On 11 July 2011, Arianna Huffington and PopEater co-announced PopEater had "a new home" at...
" published an exclusive interview with Janet involving the book. Talking about the writing process, Janet admitted "The whole book was difficult to write. I am a very private person. I guess I always have been, even as a child. I am not accustomed to revealing that much about myself." She also said that the goal of the book is to make people feel like they're "not alone".
Reviews and Performance
"True You" received a mixed review from the Washington Post. Author Michael GrossMichael Gross
Michael Gross may refer to:*Michael Gross , Israeli painter, sculptor and conceptual artist*Michael L. Gross , American professor of chemistry, medicine, and immunology*Michael Gross , American actor...
called the book a "mash-up of celebrity tell-nothing, dysfunction memoir and Oprah-ready self-help", complaining that the book lacked a structured narrative and suggesting that for people to really get to know Jackson "cue up Control (album)
Control
Control is the ability to purposefully direct, or suppress, change.Control can also refer to:-Literature:*Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, "Control" was the head of the Circus, a stand-in for MI-6, in the 1974 British spy novel by John le Carré...
or Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814
Rhythm Nation
"Rhythm Nation" is the second single from American R&B and pop singer Janet Jackson's fourth studio album, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814 .-Background:...
".
The week of March 6th, 2011, the book hit the number one spot on The New York Times Best Seller list's Hardcover Advice and Misc. section and number five on the overall chart.
Janet sold the book at each stop on her Number Ones: Up Close and Personal
Number Ones: Up Close and Personal
Number Ones: Up Close and Personal is the sixth concert tour by American recording artist Janet Jackson. Described as her "largest world tour", the show is in support of her second compilation album, Number Ones...
tour in 2011.