“I was building my life around this image of perfection, and it was really oppressive,” says Alicia Keys in her forthcoming semi-biographical book, ‘More Myself:  A Journey.’

Though putting musical endeavors on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic (namely rescheduling the release of her self-titled seventh studio album), the 39-year-old’s literary efforts are moving full steam ahead as evidenced by the round of press hitting TV and Web in its support.

Due on shelves March 31, ‘Myself’ sees Keys take fans behind the veneer of her picture perfect lifestyle to share issues from her childhood (i.e. self-esteem, racial identity, emptiness, etc.) that haunted her most of her adult life.  Making some jaw-dropping revelations across the 272-page memoir, look inside to see shocking excerpts:

ON STRUGGLES WITH SELF-ACCEPTANCE:

“I was clearly a woman who wanted to talk about truth and empowerment and strength, but when I really looked at myself, I realized that my whole life I’ve kind of been putting on a mask.

For me, a seed of worthlessness was planted in childhood,” writes Keys. “As well-intentioned as [my father] was, and as much as he was dealing with in his own life, his absence impacted me in ways I’m still uncovering. It left a hole in me.”

ON THE PRESSURES OF BEING SEXY EARLY IN HER CAREER:

“‘Open up your shirt a little,’ [the photographer] directs while firing off a flurry of snaps. My spirit is screaming that something is wrong, that this feels slimy. ‘Pull the top of your jeans down a bit in the front,’ he urges. I swallow my misgivings, tuck my thumb between the denim and my skin, and obey. On the day of the cover’s debut, I pass a newsstand where the magazine is on display. I almost throw up.’”

ON CONTEMPLATING TERMINATING HER SECOND PREGNANCY:

“I wasn’t ready for [pregnancy], which is what I told the doctor,” writes Keys. She explained to her physician, “‘This is the worst time ever. I’m working on my next album. My husband just got into Harvard Business School. And I’ve been drinking—a lot.’ I left her office feeling so torn.

While I was struggling over my choice, I went into the studio one evening and began listening to ‘More Than We Know,’ a song Swizz and I had written. The lyrics are about how we’re capable of so much more than we can ever imagine. My eyes filled with tears. How could I take away the potential for this beautiful child, this light that could touch others in ways I couldn’t dream of. For me, the song was a powerful message that I should go on with the pregnancy.”

*****

The topics above are just a few the 15-time Grammy winner discusses in the highly anticipated effort.

Written alongside Michelle Buford –  a #1 ‘New York Times bestselling author and founding editor of ‘O, The Oprah Magazine’ – ‘More’ has already shot to the top of several sales tallies on Amazon based on pre-orders alone.

Click here to read more exclusive passages from the book.

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