Justin Timberlake, despite battling the flu and weathering backlash from Britney Spears' fans, remains determined to promote his new music. Taking to Instagram on Saturday, the Grammy winner treated his followers to an acoustic rendition of his latest song, 'Selfish.' Timberlake, apologetic for his raspy voice due to his illness, shared the video alongside a caption explaining the impromptu performance.
In the video, the 43-year-old *NSYNC member is seen wearing a cream-colored cardigan while strumming an acoustic guitar in what appears to be a music studio. This intimate Instagram moment is just one of several occasions where Timberlake has performed 'Selfish' recently. He initially released the track on January 25, subsequently performing it on 'Saturday Night Live,' during a concert in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee with Jimmy Fallon and The Roots, and at a free show for fans at Irving Plaza in New York City.
However, while Timberlake's fans have been raving about his new music, fans of his ex-partner, Britney Spears, haven't been as kind. Following the release of 'Selfish' and Spears' recent disclosure in her October 2023 memoir, 'The Woman In Me,' which alleges that Timberlake pressured her into having an abortion during their relationship, her fans targeted Timberlake's sales by streaming her 2011 song of the same name. The impact was significant, leading Spears, now 42, to take to Instagram to apologize to Timberlake for revealing their secrets while expressing her admiration for his latest single. Timberlake, however, seemed unfazed by the controversy, as he seemingly shaded her during his concert in New York City, stating, 'I’d like to take this opportunity to apologize to absolutely f–king nobody,' before performing his 2002 hit, 'Cry Me a River,' inspired by Spears' infidelity during their relationship.
In response to Timberlake's onstage dig, Spears fired back on Instagram, claiming she is no longer sorry. Nevertheless, Timberlake continues his press tour undeterred, although the strain is apparent on his health. The 'SexyBack' singer, who shares two sons, Silas (8) and Phineas (3), with his wife Jessica Biel, is gearing up to release his new album, 'Everything I Thought It Was,' on March 15th.
Despite the illness and controversy, Justin Timberlake remains focused on his music and committed to sharing it with his fans. As he faces criticisms and personal challenges, he pushes forward, preparing to unveil his highly anticipated album. Only time will tell how his new music will be received, but one thing is clear: Timberlake's dedication to his craft remains unwavering.
