Britney Spears And Justin Timberlake: The Resurgence Of A Pop Feud

Is it 2002? Because the feud between Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake appears to be back in full swing. Dubbed the "Prince and Princess" of pop, the former teen idols began dating in 1999 but this was followed by a messy public split three years later. However, the beef between the pair was reignited in October, following the release of Spears' tell-all memoir, The Woman in Me.

Now Spears appears to have slammed Timberlake with a cryptic post on Instagram, after footage of the 43-year-old mocking his ex-girlfriend at a gig went viral. Newsweek has reached out to Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears for comment via email. Here is everything you need to know about the clash between the two pop legends, and the social media post that has taken their quarrel to the next level.

Understanding Their Relationship

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake first met as pre-teens on the Disney variety show The Mickey Mouse Club. Their relationship blossomed, marking Spears as Timberlake's first kiss, an innocent moment shared during a sleepover while listening to Lionel Richie.

The pair reconnected in 1998 when Spears opened for Timberlake’s boy band, NSYNC. They began dating in 1999, quickly becoming the music industry's favorite couple, known for their high-profile romance that captured the attention of fans worldwide.

Allegations of Infidelity

In her 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me, Spears opened up about their tumultuous relationship, shedding light on infidelity from both sides. The singer revealed that she chose to overlook signs of Timberlake’s possible cheating because she was infatuated with him. Despite this, she later acknowledged that he may have had extramarital affairs.

Spears also disclosed her own moment of betrayal, admitting to a brief romantic encounter with choreographer Wade Robson. This honesty in the memoir ignited discussions among fans, reflecting on the pressures both faced during their public romance.

Life-Changing Decisions

Spears revealed in her memoir that she underwent an abortion during her relationship with Timberlake, a decision that weighed heavily on her. She described this experience as one of the most difficult moments of her life, expressing her deep love for Timberlake and her hopes for a future family together.

The decision to terminate the pregnancy was not made lightly. Spears recalled Timberlake's reluctance, as he believed they were too young to start a family. This revelation has led fans to speculate that her song "Everytime" was influenced by this heart-wrenching experience.

The End of Their Relationship

The couple's relationship came to an abrupt end in 2002 when Timberlake ended things via text message, a move that devastated Spears. She reflected on how this breakup affected her emotionally and professionally, stating that it felt as though Timberlake used their relationship as material for his debut album, Justified.

Timberlake’s hit "Cry Me a River," which featured a lookalike of Spears, further complicated the situation, as it fueled rumors about her fidelity and damaged her public image. Spears expressed her feelings of being unfairly judged and portrayed as a villain in the media, highlighting the gender disparities in public perception.

Current Developments and Fans' Reactions

As the feud has resurfaced, fans have taken sides, with many accusing Timberlake of profiting from Spears' pain. This backlash has sparked a movement to “cancel” him, jeopardizing his upcoming projects. The public's reaction reflects the ongoing support for Spears, as many fans rallied to promote her music over Timberlake's recent releases.

Following the release of Timberlake’s new single "Selfish," fans made a concerted effort to promote Spears’ 2011 track of the same name, achieving a resurgence in its popularity on iTunes. This rivalry has reignited the public's interest in both artists, prompting discussions about their tumultuous past.

Social Media and Public Apologies