Justin Timberlake may have finally addressed the explosive allegations made against him by his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, but she's still waiting for a personal apology from him.
Justin, 42, was performing at the opening of Fontainebleau in Las Vegas on Wednesday night when he appeared to acknowledge Britney's criticism of his 2002 single, Cry Me A River.
Before launching into the hit, he told the crowd: “No disrespect.”
Britney had claimed in her memoir The Woman in Me that the song made her look like a “whore who broke the heart of America's golden boy”, while accusing Justin of fueling the narrative that her infidelity destroyed their three-year relationship – while silent about his own unfaithful ways.
Justin Timberlake, 42, appeared to hint at the anger his ex-girlfriend, Britney Spears, unleashed on him while performing in Las Vegas on Wednesday night
The single, which was on his debut solo album Justified from 2002, was criticized by Britney, also 42, in her memoir The Woman In Me. Pictured in 2002
Now, a source close to Britney has revealed that she “appreciates” him acknowledging the controversy surrounding the Grammy-winning song, but has yet to address her personally.
“The disrespect towards Britney is long overdue and while she appreciates his acknowledgment of it, Justin has never personally called or contacted her to apologize,” the insider told DailyMail.com exclusively.
'He never discussed this with her. Ever. Britney put this behind her and writing her book allowed her to release it. She's good.'
It was previously reported that Justin did not want to speak out about the allegations so as not to 'get in the way' of Britney's chance to finally share her story.
In her recent memoir, Spears wrote about how she felt voiceless after her ex released his top five hit, essentially advancing his narrative that he was the wronged party in their breakup. The couple dated from 1999 to 2002.
“I felt at that moment that there was no way to tell my side of the story,” she wrote. “I couldn't explain it because I knew no one would take my side once Justin convinced the world of his version. I don't think Justin realized the power he had to shame me. I don't think he understands it to this day.'
Justin also delved into the creation of Cry Me A River and the impact his relationship with Britney had on it in his 2018 memoir Hindsight.
'I have been scorned. I'm ruined. That feeling inspired me to write Cry Me A River,” he wrote.
Justin seemed fully aware of the controversy surrounding the song, which featured an actress who looked suspiciously like the Toxic singer and referenced a cheating lover in the lyrics.
“I felt like there was no way to tell my side of the story at the time,” Britney said of the song in her memoir
A source previously told DailyMail.com that Justin refrained from addressing Britney's claims because he wanted to give her the space to tell her story.
Justin and Britney dated from 1999 to 2002, when he ended their relationship by text
But he was more circumspect in an apology shared on social media in February 2021, after Britney's fans began mobilizing to try to have her 13-year conservatorship dismantled and a damaging New York Times documentary — which did not was authorized by Spears – their investigation had investigated. relationship and the aftermath of their breakup.
“I understand that I have fallen short in these moments and in many others… I want to specifically apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, both individually, because I care about and respect these women, and I know I failed ', he said. also referring to renewed criticism he received for his role in the “wardrobe malfunction” during his performance with Janet at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.
Although he was reportedly a full participant in the display, tearing off part of Janet's outfit to expose one of her breasts, his career continued to rise while hers suffered for years.
Britney's conservatorship was dissolved nine months later in November 2021.
The singer got candid in her new book, in which she also revealed that Justin ended their relationship via text message and that she had an abortion in 2000 because the N*Sync star “didn't want to be a father.”
Justin was one of many stars invited to celebrate the opening of Fontainebleau this week.
In addition to Cry Me A River, he also played SexyBack, Rock Your Body and his Trolls anthem Can't Stop The Feeling.
Justin posted behind-the-scenes photos of his backstage warm-ups with his band and his performance in front of the casino crowd
Justin's wife Jessica Biel was also in the audience for his show and was spotted dancing and singing along to her husband's hits, including Cry Me A River.
The final song of the evening was Mirrors, which was featured on his 2013 album The 20/20 Experience. He previously said the song was written for his wife Jessica
The last song of the evening was Mirrors, which was on his album The 20/20 Experience.
Justin previously wrote about writing the song in honor of Jessica Biel, whom he married in 2012.
'We lived together then. We weren't engaged yet. In fact, it took me years to propose…,” he shared, before referring to how his grandparents set an example for his marriage to her.
'The video became a dedication to my grandparents. I learned from them about long-lasting love. I know I have that with my wife…,” he said.
'She changed me. She changed my life. That's all in Mirrors. Not the details. But what it felt like to be touched by her.'