Justin Timberlake seems to be trying to stay away from all the drama.
While performing an hour-long set in front of a star-studded crowd opening the Fontainebleau in Las Vegas on Wednesday night, the 42-year-old pop star offered a brief disclaimer before singing her 2002 breakup ballad “Cry Me a River.”
“No disrespect,” he told the crowd – which included his wife Jessica Biel, 41 – as he launched into the song, which his ex Britney Spears slammed in her memoir. The woman in me.
Released as the second single from his debut solo album Justified“Cry Me a River” includes lyrics about infidelity, and the accompanying music video released the same year features a woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to Spears.
Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears during Super Bowl XXXVI in February 2002. Denise Trusc / Getty Justin Timberlake headlines the Fontainebleau Las Vegas opening as Jessica Biel cheers him on
“I felt there was no way to tell my side of the story at the time,” Spears wrote in her memoir. “I couldn’t explain, because I knew no one would take my side after Justin convinced the world of his version. I don’t think Justin understood the power he had to embarrass me. I don’t think he understands this day.”
Spears and Timberlake dated for several years before calling it quits in March 2002. In their 2018 book, SightTimberlake wrote that his “strong” feelings at the time drove him to write the song in two hours.
“I was scorned. I was angry. That feeling inspired me to write ‘Cry Me a River,'” he wrote at the time.
In February 2021, Timberlake publicly apologized for his behavior toward Spears after facing backlash from fans.
“I understand that I have failed in these moments and in many others… I especially want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for these women and I respect them and I know that I have failed,” he wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram after the publication Framing Britney Spearsunauthorized The New York Times documentary that partially included a segment exploring his former relationship with Spears and Timberlake and Jackson’s 2004 Super Bowl breakup.
Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s Relationship: A Look Back
During his headlining performance at the invitation-only opening night, Timberlake sang his biggest hits, including “SexyBack,” “Like I Love You,” “Suit and Tie” and more.
He closed the show with “Mirrors,” a love song he previously said was inspired by Biel, who was on her feet all night singing and dancing, including “Cry Me a River.”
Afterward, Timberlake joined other celebrities — including Tom Brady, Cher and more — to roll the first dice when the property opened its doors to the public at midnight.
Timberlake and Biel then continued the celebration at LIV nightclub, where they hung out with friends behind the DJ booth.
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Source: HIS Education