In 1999, Eve burst onto the music scene with her debut album, Let There Be Eve...Ruff Ryders' First Lady, becoming the third female rapper to have an album debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart. The project sold over two million copies and solidified Eve as a trailblazer for women in hip-hop. Over the years, her influence extended beyond music, with starring in films, her sitcom “Eve,” and co-hosting CBS’s “The Talk.” Now, 25 years later, the Philadelphia native reflects on her groundbreaking career in her first-ever memoir, Who’s That Girl? In this revealing autobiography, she shares the untold stories behind her rise to fame, the challenges she faced in a male-dominated industry, issues at Interscope Records, and the internal battles she fought following the release of her fourth and last album, Lip Lock. 

Eve was approached about writing a book years ago but turned it down because she was exploring vulnerability at the time. She was just two years into her role as co-host on “The Talk,” a position she officially stepped into in 2017, replacing Aisha Tyler. “I wasn't ready. I was like, ‘No, this is enough.’ It's been a slow build ever since I was on ‘The Talk.’ Taking that job required me to open up, which I had never really done before. You know, I wasn't kinda open on my socials. The only people that really knew my insides were my friends or family. But, once I started, I was like, ‘Okay. I do believe in healing,’ she says. “Someone said to me a long time ago, ‘What you reveal, can heal.’ I know it's almost like a cliche thing to say but I do believe that. There was a lot of stuff that I was holding on to trying to navigate myself by myself and that was just not healthy. So, the more I kinda talked, the more vulnerable I got. But, then I will say having my kid floodgates, like, broke me open, fully. Okay?” 

Eve's memoir came to life when Kathy Iandoli, a renowned hip-hop journalist and author, proposed the idea. Though she had previously turned down the idea, this time felt different. With her 25th anniversary in mind, she decided to move forward, and the two worked quickly, completing the project within a year to ensure it would be released in time to celebrate the milestone of her debut. “The stuff that I talk about in the book is stuff that I have touched on a little bit, but I don't think I've gone as deep,” Eve tells BET. “I have a kid now and felt like I was able to shed some things from my past and prepare people for my future and even for myself.” 

She continues, “It's a f**king scary place to be. I'm not gonna lie. Like, this book was one of those things where I was like, ‘Oh, okay. Yay. I wrote the book, and I got s**t out.’ And then it was like, ‘Oh, s**t. I got promoted and now I have to talk about all the shit in it. I feel naked. I ain't gonna lie. I feel super anxious. But I'm also really proud of the book because I've never taken the time to just reflect.”

The 45-year-old opens up about the challenges of being deeply honest, revealing her insecurities and struggles in ways she hadn’t before. In the book, she dives into sensitive topics like her journey with fertility and revisits her relationship with alcohol and drugs. She also reflects on her experiences with other artists, including Nicki Minaj. Ultimately, she decided to share these personal truths, recognizing that everyone, regardless of the industry, has faced similar feelings at some point. “I’m f**king human,” says Eve.

The pressures of significant life changes, such as leaving Interscope after nearly a decade and becoming immersed in the Hollywood lifestyle as she transitioned into acting, fueled her battle with anxiety, which eventually led to depression. To cope with these overwhelming feelings, she turned to drugs and alcohol, creating a destructive cycle she couldn’t escape. Eve explains that her substance use became a way to numb herself and avoid processing the changes happening in her life. This struggle ultimately led to a series of wake-up calls, including her most notable 2007 DUI arrest, which forced her to attend AA meetings and confront her issues. “I drank a lot. I had issues but I never ever took the time to analyze them. I never really took the time to understand why I was there at that place in my life,” she explains.

Beyond her internal struggles and major accomplishments, Eve is content with where life has taken her. Now residing in London with her husband of 10 years, Maximilian Cooper, and their 2-year-old son, Wilde Wolf, she reflects on the unexpected turns her journey has taken. Grateful for her career pivots and personal growth, Eve embraces the highs and lows that have shaped her. Though her life in London feels worlds away from her roots in Philly, she remains connected to her hometown, ensuring her son understands where she comes from. For Eve, it’s all part of a journey that’s brought her to a place of gratitude and peace.

Who’s That Girl? is available now at bookstores everywhere.