Timbaland's Controversial Statement: Britney Spears Should Have Been Silenced Before Memoir Release
Timbaland receives criticism for suggesting that Justin Timberlake should have restrained Britney Spears prior to the release of her memoir, 'The Woman in Me'
Timbaland, Justine Timberlake, Britney Spears Getty Images (3)
Timbaland is receiving backlash for making controversial comments about Britney Spears.
In a recent panel interview that is being shared on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), Timbaland, who is 51 years old, referred to Spears, who is 41 years old, as "going crazy." This statement was made in response to a reporter mentioning how Justin Timberlake's song "Cry Me a River," which Timbaland produced, is gaining attention once again due to Spears' memoir, "The Woman in Me."
Timbaland recently spoke at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. during a producer conversation called "Sounds Architects." During his talk, Timbaland expressed the desire to speak to Justin Timberlake, who is 42 years old, and tell him, "JT, you need to control that girl."
Fans of Britney Spears wasted no time in criticizing Timbaland for his comments on social media. Some users found his remarks to be misogynistic, while others called out the audience at the event for laughing.
"Why were they finding it amusing? Making fun of Britney's mental health and joking about silencing her? Is that the appropriate way to treat a woman who has already endured mistreatment from Hollywood and her own family?" a commenter questioned, while another added, "It's truly mind-boggling that Timbaland would suggest Justin Timberlake should have silenced Britney, especially considering she has been trapped and mistreated for the last 13 years, like a caged animal."
During the panel, Timbaland continued to criticize Spears for her memoir, accusing her of writing it solely for the purpose of "seeking attention."
In this age of social media, it seems like everyone wants to go viral. I understand why, as going viral is a way to make money. In her book, "The Woman in Me," which was released in October, Britney Spears shared candid details from her past. These details included various claims about her relationship with Justin Timberlake, whom she dated from 1999 to 2002 after meeting on the set of The Mickey Mouse Club. In her debut memoir, Spears spoke about alleged infidelity on both sides, recounted being dumped by Timberlake via text message, and revealed that she had an at-home abortion after discovering she was pregnant before their breakup.
“But Justin was definitely unhappy about the pregnancy. He expressed his belief that we were not ready to welcome a baby into our lives, emphasizing our young age,” she expressed. “I am aware that this decision may cause resentment towards me, but I ultimately consented to not proceed with the pregnancy. I am uncertain whether that was the correct choice. If the decision had solely rested on me, I would never have gone through with it. However, Justin was resolute in his stance of not wanting to become a father.”
Jerritt Clark/WireImage
In her book, Spears delves into Timberlake's renowned song "Cry Me a River" and its accompanying music video. She uncovers the influence Timberlake had in publicly shaming her after their breakup, where the video showcased a lookalike imitating their split and accusing her of being unfaithful.
Furthermore, Spears reveals that despite her managers' attempts to portray her as perpetually chaste, she was swiftly branded as a promiscuous and deceitful individual once Timberlake disclosed in a 2003 interview with Barbara Walters that their relationship was indeed sexual.
After the release of The Woman in Me, an exclusive source informed us that the former 'NSync band member was unprepared for the extent to which Spears delved into their personal history.
"Justin had expected Britney to discuss their highs and lows in a more general manner, not expose all the intimate details of their past," the insider revealed. "He is disappointed that she chose to go down this path so many years after their breakup." (Timberlake disabled comments on his Instagram following the controversy surrounding the memoir.)
Timberlake, who got married to Jessica Biel in 2013, has not publicly addressed The Woman in Me. However, a separate source revealed last month that he is actively trying to distance himself from his ex's claims. On the other hand, Spears maintains that she did not intend to offend anyone with her memoir.
In October, she took to Instagram to clarify, "My book's purpose was never to offend anyone in any way. That version of me is in the past! It's a fresh start from here on out! I'm determined to establish that for the rest of my life! Regardless, this is the end of it, and sometimes difficult situations arise. The writing of this book has actually provided me with closure and the prospect of a brighter future, even though it may have unintentionally offended some."
