LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Britney Spears has thrown the spotlight on her tumultuous relationship with Justin Timberlake in her upcoming memoir, 'The Woman in Me,' set to hit shelves on October 24.
In a jaw-dropping excerpt published by People, Spears not only delves into their infamous breakup but also reveals a deeply personal experience: becoming pregnant and subsequently having an abortion.
Britney Spears' pregnancy and abortion
For Spears, the pregnancy was a surprise, but she didn't view it as a tragedy. She shared her profound love for Timberlake, expressing her anticipation of starting a family with him someday.
She writes, "This would just be much earlier than I'd anticipated."
However, Timberlake's reaction was far from what she had hoped for. He was apprehensive about the pregnancy, deeming them too young and unprepared for parenthood, according to Spears' account.
A complex relationship under media scrutiny
The Spears-Timberlake romance, spanning from 1999 to 2002, was under constant tabloid scrutiny throughout its three-year duration. Their breakup, in particular, received biased media attention that portrayed Timberlake in a favorable light, as per The Cut.
The 2021 New York Times documentary, 'Framing Britney Spears,' highlighted the misogyny embedded in the media's coverage of their split and suggested Timberlake's manipulation of the narrative.
In a 2002 interview with Barbara Walters, Timberlake chose not to reveal the specifics of their breakup, allowing rumors of infidelity to persist.
Instead, he vaguely commented on their relationship as "young love" while releasing songs like 'Don't Go (Horrible Woman)' and the controversial video for 'Cry Me a River,' featuring a Spears look-alike.
Timberlake's post-breakup interviews also included bragging about his intimacy with Spears, who had previously declared her intention to remain a virgin until marriage.
Mixed feelings despite Justin Timberlake's apology
Despite a public apology on Instagram in 2021, where Timberlake admitted to falling short and benefiting from a misogynistic system, rumors suggest he remains anxious about the contents of Spears' memoir.
A source revealed to Page Six that Timberlake is curious about what Spears might reveal, acknowledging that the uncertainty is "eating at him."
However, insiders insist that the memoir is not intended as a takedown but rather an opportunity for Spears to share her empowering story.
Timberlake faces backlash for past behavior
While Spears may have chosen not to vilify Timberlake, the internet has erupted with outrage aimed at the pop star. Netizens are calling out Timberlake for decades of questionable behavior towards Britney Spears.
Social media platforms are flooded with condemnations of Timberlake's actions after the breakup. Fans resurfaced old videos in which he seemed to brag about taking Spears's virginity.
In a skit on Saturday Night Live (SNL), Timberlake made a derogatory comment about Spears, insinuating that she had claimed to be a virgin publicly but not privately.
"I like to think that at first there is a popular female singer, who publically claimed to be virgins, but privately, he hit it," he said.
Another clip shows him being asked on a radio show, "Did you f*** Britney Spears?" Timberlake hesitates first but goes on to say, "Okay! I did it."
Social media users expressed their disdain for Timberlake's past actions and behavior.
One individual tweeted, "Cancel him. I never ever liked that man." Another person chimed in, labeling Timberlake as a "disgusting man."
A third user remarked, "He never deserved her, I always thought that." Another user said, "Disgusting man to do this to her."
A fifth user wrote: "Threw her under the bus. What a creep." These reactions reflect the mounting backlash against Timberlake as the release date of Britney Spears' memoir draws near.
