Eve’s Journey: Unpacking Fame, Struggles, and Growth in Her Memoir, ‘Who’s That Girl?’

In a candid new memoir titled Who’s That Girl?, hip-hop legend Eve reveals untold stories about her rise to fame, struggles with addiction, fertility, and the challenges of navigating a male-dominated music industry. The autobiography marks 25 years since Eve’s debut album, Let There Be Eve…Ruff Ryders’ First Lady, which shot her to fame as one of the first women to dominate the rap scene. In an interview with BET, the rapper opens up about the internal battles she faced throughout her career, offering an honest reflection of her personal and professional journey.

In 1999, Eve made history by becoming the third female rapper to have an album debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. Her success wasn’t confined to music; she later appeared in films, had her sitcom, Eve, and co-hosted CBS’s The Talk. Now, in her first memoir, Eve goes deeper, addressing the struggles she faced after the release of her final album Lip Lock in 2013, and her departure from Interscope Records.

The Story Behind the Memoir

Eve admits that she wasn’t initially ready to write a memoir. The idea had been proposed years earlier, but she turned it down due to her reluctance to be vulnerable. “I wasn’t ready. I was like, ‘No, this is enough,’” she says. It wasn’t until she joined The Talk in 2017 that she began to open up more about her personal life, gradually embracing her vulnerability. “Taking that job required me to open up, which I had never really done before. The only people that really knew my insides were my friends or family,” Eve shared in her interview with BET.

The pivotal moment came after the birth of her son, Wilde Wolf, in 2022. “Having my kid floodgates, like, broke me open, fully,” she says. It was then that she felt ready to finally explore her past and document her journey in the memoir.

Teaming up with renowned hip-hop journalist Kathy Iandoli, Eve completed the memoir within a year. The timing was intentional, as she wanted the book released to coincide with the 25th anniversary of her debut album. According to Eve, the book addresses topics she had only briefly touched on before, but now delves into with a new depth. She wanted to shed light on her past and prepare readers for her future, all while going through her own healing process.

A Journey Through Addiction, Fertility, and Personal Growth

Who’s That Girl? doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts of Eve’s life, including her struggles with alcohol, drugs, and anxiety. After leaving Interscope and making the transition from music to acting, she found herself battling depression. To cope, she turned to alcohol and drugs, which led to her infamous 2007 DUI arrest. Attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings helped her confront her addiction, forcing her to address the root causes of her destructive behaviour.

Beyond her substance abuse, Eve also reflects on her fertility journey. She openly discusses her struggles with getting pregnant, a topic that resonates with many women. “It’s a f**king scary place to be,” Eve confesses, sharing how motherhood transformed her, helping her shed past trauma and preparing her for the future.

Life in London and Moving Forward

Today, Eve lives in London with her husband, Maximilian Cooper, and their 2-year-old son. The move to London marked a significant change from her roots in Philadelphia, but Eve feels at peace with where life has taken her. She’s grateful for the career pivots and personal growth she’s experienced, embracing the highs and lows that shaped her along the way. Despite being in London, she ensures that her son remains connected to her Philadelphia upbringing.

Though her life has taken unexpected turns, Eve expresses contentment with the journey she’s been on. With her memoir now available, the hip-hop star hopes that her story can inspire others to confront their struggles and embrace personal growth.

Who’s That Girl? is a raw and honest look at Eve’s life, offering readers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of a woman who has overcome significant challenges to find peace and fulfilment. The memoir is available at bookstores everywhere.