Sophia Michaels
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It’s surprising, but Justin Timberlake isn’t universally liked. Despite his charming exterior, he’s made choices that have alienated several celebrities over the years. While many keep their disdain private, occasionally, a celebrity voices their negative experiences with the “Prince of Pop.”
Timberlake’s behavior towards former girlfriends has contributed to a lengthy list of industry figures who harbor negative feelings towards him. From singers to actors, he’s found himself in controversies, including a notable arrest in June 2024 which tarnished his public image. He faced consequences, such as community service, a fine, and a need to issue a public service announcement.
While the courts may have shown leniency, his counterparts in the celebrity world are often less forgiving. Some have publicly reconciled with him, but many others choose to avoid him altogether. Here are ten celebrities who have made it clear they can’t stand Justin Timberlake, and their reasons are quite compelling.
Janet Jackson’s career struggled post Super Bowl incident with Timberlake
The history between Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake stretches back to before NSYNC’s rise. Their relationship turned contentious after the infamous moment during the “Super Bowl XXXVIII” halftime show. Jackson had kept Timberlake’s involvement a secret, but this would lead to unforeseen fallout for her career.
During their performance of “Rock Your Body,” Timberlake unexpectedly pulled down part of Jackson’s outfit, exposing her breast live on-air. What was seen as a wardrobe malfunction had severe consequences for Jackson’s public image. The aftermath included a public spat over blame and a noticeable lack of support for Jackson compared to Timberlake; she was even barred from the 2004 Grammy Awards while he was celebrated.
In a 2018 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Jackson expressed regret over the incident but still regarded Timberlake as a friend. However, their professional relationship has not progressed since that embarrassing incident, although he has since offered an apology.
Britney Spears had a tumultuous breakup with Justin Timberlake
When they were young stars, Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake captured the public’s adoration as a couple, but their romance took a turn for the worse. Following their split, an insider revealed that Timberlake broke up with Spears through a text message. His subsequent comments to the media were hurtful and personal.
Timberlake’s music contained veiled allegations of infidelity on Spears’ part, though he later denied the songs were about her. Years later, he admitted they were inspired by their relationship, damaging his reputation further. His public comments came during a challenging period for Spears, likely contributing to her mental health struggles leading to a conservatorship.
In her memoir, Spears also addressed their relationship…
“`“The Woman in Me,” offers an unfiltered account of Britney Spears’ experiences, especially regarding her relationship with Justin Timberlake. She revealed a traumatic time when she became pregnant, and Timberlake pressured her into terminating the pregnancy—a decision she wouldn’t have made without his influence. Despite Timberlake’s attempts to show support for Spears during her conservatorship struggles on social media, it likely felt insufficient to repair their fractured relationship.
If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, or contact the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or explore the National Institute of Mental Health website.
The Shift in Ryan Gosling and Justin Timberlake’s Friendship
Justin Timberlake and Ryan Gosling’s long-standing connection dates back to their childhood on “The All-New Mickey Mouse Club,” where they formed a close bond, even embarking on playful escapades together. However, as adults, their friendship has significantly declined. Despite their early camaraderie, Timberlake admitted in a Hollywood Reporter interview that they aren’t particularly close any longer, sharing that such youthful friendships often fade over time.
It’s uncertain whether any specific incident caused their estrangement, but they have not rekindled their earlier closeness. Observers have noted a clear shift in their dynamic, suggesting they no longer view each other as close friends.
SZA’s Frustration with Justin Timberlake’s Behavior
Justin Timberlake’s collaboration with SZA in 2020 led to an interview that raised eyebrows when Timberlake persistently interrupted her while speaking, even answering questions on her behalf. He also adopted an unusual accent while trying to speak for her, causing discomfort for SZA and sparking backlash from fans online.
During these interruptions, Timberlake referred to SZA as “Sis,” leading many to criticize him for appearing disrespectful and appropriative of African American Vernacular English (AAVE). The stark contrast between his normal speech pattern and this perceived mimicry intensified the negative reaction from SZA’s fans, leaving SZA silent on the issue, even though many believe she has every right to be upset about his actions.
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Dana White’s Disdain for Justin Timberlake
Dana White, the UFC CEO known for his candidness, shared his negative impression of Justin Timberlake after a meeting in Los Angeles. During a visit to the Black Eyed Peas dressing room at the Nickelodeon Awards, he felt Timberlake was dismissive, particularly towards his children. White expressed his frustration, saying, “The biggest d***head back there was Justin Timberlake,” while criticizing Timberlake’s lack of acknowledgment towards his kids.
Later on, White revealed that he and Timberlake talked about the incident over the phone, leading White to express gratitude online, indicating that he had moved past the issue. Although White’s feelings initially reflected displeasure, he seemed to have reconciled his views.
Timberlake’s Subtle Feud with Prince
A quiet rivalry brewed between Justin Timberlake and Prince that persisted even after Prince’s passing in 2016. Their conflict ignited in 2006 when Timberlake released “SexyBack.” In response, Prince humorously remarked during an aftershow that “sexy never left.” This exchange ignited a subtle back-and-forth, including Timberlake’s retort in his track “Give It to Me,” addressing Prince’s comments.
While their feud lacked overt hostility, they often exchanged jabs through their music, typical in the industry. Following Prince’s death, Timberlake attempted to honor him during a Super Bowl performance, which received mixed feelings from Prince’s fans. Despite this, Timberlake expressed admiration for Prince, acknowledging his influence on music and his own career.
Mandy Moore’s Reaction to Timberlake’s Foot Comment
Mandy Moore once admired Justin Timberlake during his *NSYNC days, but their meeting left her with lasting discomfort. Timberlake commented on her feet, saying, “You have big feet for a girl,” which Moore recalled years later as a moment that impacted her self-esteem. At just 15, this comment affected her significantly, leading her to reflect on it during an appearance on “The Late Show with James Corden.”
She mentioned the lasting impact of Timberlake’s remark, emphasizing how much it resonated with her at that young age. Despite Timberlake likely forgetting the comment, it remained a memorable and hurtful instance for Moore throughout the years.
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Demi Moore discusses Justin Timberlake’s past comments
Demi Moore opened up in an interview with Howard Stern about the past hurt caused by Justin Timberlake’s comments when she was just 15. She shared that after some time, all was forgiven, as Timberlake apologized for his remarks. Although this feud seemed intense at first, Moore has since moved on from the situation, acknowledging that Timberlake’s intentions were probably misguided flirting.
Kylie Minogue reacts to Timberlake’s inappropriate behavior
Justin Timberlake’s history of inappropriate actions was further highlighted during a performance with Kylie Minogue at the 2003 Brit Awards when he unexpectedly groped her. This moment drew significant backlash and resurfaced as Timberlake faced criticism for various incidents over the years. Despite Timberlake later confirming he sought Minogue’s consent for the action, she reportedly declined. Nevertheless, the performance continued seamlessly, even though Minogue must have been displeased.
Amanda Seales criticizes Timberlake’s response to racial issues
Amanda Seales took issue with Justin Timberlake following his post regarding the murder of Ahmaud Arbery in 2020. Although Timberlake’s statement was simply one of solidarity, Seales criticized his decision to disable comments, perceiving it as a way to shield himself from difficult conversations on race. She creatively addressed Timberlake’s actions with a remix on social media, urging him to engage in the dialogue instead of avoiding it.
Jessica Simpson’s discomfort with Timberlake’s behavior
Jessica Simpson shared her complicated history with Justin Timberlake, which dates back to their younger years. In her memoir, Simpson mentioned a nostalgic kiss they shared after her divorce, followed by Timberlake’s immediate text to Ryan Gosling, revealing he had kissed her. This action struck Simpson as inconsiderate, as it seemed he was more interested in the novelty of the moment rather than respecting her vulnerability during that time.
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