A best-selling author has claimed that the arrest and humiliation of Justin Timberlake is karmic reward for his treatment of Britney Spears and Janet Jackson.
Jennifer Weiner, best known for her book “In Her Shoes,” which was made into a movie starring Cameron Diaz, said she enjoyed Timberlake’s embarrassment in a New York Times op-ed.
On Tuesday, he was arrested on suspicion of driving while intoxicated while driving away from a night at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor. To make matters worse, the officer who arrested Timberlake had no idea who the 43-year-old singer was when he protested a lawsuit affecting his tour.
Weinfer, 54, said the former NSYNC band member’s downfall has been a long time coming after he easily escaped two infamous controversies that seriously damaged Spears and Jackson.
In 1999, Spears and Timberlake famously confirmed their relationship and quickly became beloved by their legions of fans.
Jennifer Weiner has claimed in a new op-ed that Justin Timberlake’s arrest and humiliation is karmic reward for his treatment of Britney Spears and Janet Jackson
But in 2002, the couple split and controversy arose. In a series of music videos including “Cry Me A River” and suggestive interviews, Timberlake suggested Spears had cheated on him, leading to their parting ways.
At the time, Timberlake’s claims caused a huge backlash towards the “Criminal” singer, to the point that Diane Sawyer asked a tearful Spears, “You did something that caused him so much pain.” So much suffering. What have you done?’ in a 2003 interview.
It was in 2023, with the release of Spears’ memoir, that fans found out that Timberlake was the one who cheated and dumped her via text message.
In the same book, she also revealed that she became pregnant during their relationship and that it was Timberlake who pushed for an abortion.
Spears also said that while she was writhing in pain on the bathroom floor, he played his guitar.
It was in 2023, with the release of Spears’ memoir, that fans found out that Timberlake was the one who cheated and dumped her via text message.
But Timberlake and Spears’ relationship and the ensuing drama isn’t the only notable controversy in his career.
In 2004, Timberlake performed on stage with Jackson during her Super Bowl halftime show.
At one point, the boy band alum’s choreography was supposed to remove a panel from her bustier, but instead she ripped off a large chunk of her costume and flashed her chest on live TV.
In the following days, Jackson was condemned and disinvited from the Grammys due to the “wardrobe malfunction,” which occurred a week after the incident.
While Jackson faced public criticism over the incident, Timberlake won the award for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance.
While Jackson was on the receiving end of public criticism over the incident, Timberlake won Best Male Pop Vocal Performance at the Grammys.
In his more than two-decade career, Timberlake has also been accused of appropriating traditionally black music while failing to actually stand up for social issues that impact black people.
Both critics of the ‘Mirrors’ singer and fans of the female pop stars have celebrated Timberlake’s recent arrest and humiliation, but Weiner suggests he will once again escape unscathed – because he is a white man.
“Part of me wants to believe that if the ultimate Teflon-coated rich white dude is no longer so able to charm his way out of trouble, a larger cultural shift could be underway,” Weiner wrote.
Weiner predicted that the singer will be “doing just fine” as always and will continue to reap the benefits of being a white man in the US.
To support her claims, Weiner cited Timberlake’s “fake apologies” he made to Jackson and Spears.
Following the publication of Spears’ memoir, the 43-year-old took to social media and expressed his regret over what happened.
“I would like to specifically apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, both individually, because I care about and respect these women, and I know I failed.
“I also feel compelled to respond in part because everyone involved deserves better, and especially because this is a larger conversation that I wholeheartedly want to be a part of and grow from,” the musician wrote.
But during a concert in New York City in January, Timberlake made it clear that he had “apologized to absolutely no one.”
Ultimately, Weiner predicted that the singer will be “doing just fine” as always and will continue to reap the benefits of being a white man in the US.
Last night he broke his silence and publicly announced his arrest.
Justin will also make stops in other cities such as Boston, Baltimore and Cleveland before embarking on international dates in late July. The tour ends on December 20 in Kansas City, shortly before Christmas
He opened up to his fans at United Center Stadium in Chicago on Friday as he resumed his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
The singer was arrested Tuesday after enjoying a night out with friends at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, but since then he claims he only had one drink over the course of the night.
“It’s been a tough week,” Timberlake told the crowd. “I know it’s hard to love me sometimes, but you still love me just the same.”
He further sent love to his fans in attendance, stating that they have all been through “ups-and-downs and left-and-rights.”
After the arrest, a source recently said People an article published on Friday claims the singer ‘panicked’ while in custody – as he is also said to be struggling with the end of his ‘golden boy image’.
‘He panicked and stayed awake all night while in custody. He insists he only had one drink and it wasn’t a wild night out.’
DailyMail.com has reached out to Timberlake representatives and has yet to hear back.
Justin has insisted he only had one drink on the night of the incident. According to his arrest report, he told the officer – who did not recognize him – after he was pulled over, “I had one martini and followed my friends home.”
This comes as the pop star is reportedly struggling with the end of his golden boy image and feels like his career isn’t where he hoped at the moment.
The father-of-two, who has won more than 10 Grammys since rising to fame as one of the lead singers of boy band NSYNC, has had a tough year as an artist.
His latest single, Everything I Thought It Was, marked his first solo release not to reach number one on the charts since his song, Justified, was released in 2002.
Furthermore, sales of his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour have been described as ‘lackluster’.