On January 31, Justin Timberlake celebrated his forty-third birthday with a sold-out concert at New York City's Irving Plaza. Little did the crowd know that they were in for quite a memorable evening. As Timberlake took the stage, he made a bold statement that left no room for interpretation.
'I'd like to take this opportunity to apologize to absolutely f***ing nobody,' Timberlake declared, sending shockwaves through the audience. While he didn't specify who he was referring to, it was evident to many that his comment was directed towards his ex-girlfriend, Britney Spears.
The timing of Timberlake's remark was significant, as he uttered it just before performing his hit single 'Cry Me a River.' This renowned track is believed to be about his past relationship with Spears and the allegations of infidelity that surrounded it.
The pop star's lack of remorse was likely a response to Spears' claims in her memoir, The Woman In Me, where she revealed that she became pregnant during their relationship and had an abortion at Timberlake's request. The revelation generated immense backlash towards Timberlake, who was criticized for his treatment of Spears throughout their time together. From reportedly breaking up with her during a music video shoot to other alleged wrongdoings, he faced scrutiny from millions of people.
In the aftermath of the controversy, Timberlake retreated from the public eye and focused on his upcoming album, Everything I Thought It Was, set to release later this spring. The highly-anticipated record marks his return to the music scene after a six-year hiatus.
To give fans a taste of what's to come, Timberlake released the lead single 'Selfish,' which has already started making waves on the Billboard charts. With its success, it is expected to become an even bigger hit in the days ahead.
It's worth noting that Timberlake has previously offered apologies to both Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. Janet Jackson's career faced significant damage following their controversial performance at the Super Bowl, during which her breast was exposed. In 2021, Timberlake publicly expressed remorse on Instagram, acknowledging his past mistakes and his failure to stand up for what was right.
However, his recent statement on stage shows that Timberlake's remorse may not extend to all aspects of his past. Instead, he seems unapologetic and willing to embrace the controversy surrounding him.
As fans eagerly await the release of Everything I Thought It Was, it remains to be seen how the public will react to Timberlake's bold stance. While some may view his lack of apology as a sign of defiance, others might find it disappointing.
One thing is certain: Justin Timberlake is ready to make a comeback, and he's not shying away from addressing the past. Whether this approach will resonate positively or negatively with his fan base is yet to be determined.
