Justin Timberlake appeared to allude to the anger his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears unleashed on him during a performance in Las Vegas on Wednesday night and one of his biggest songs.
The 42-year-old singer and actor was performing at the opening of the Fontainebleau in Sin City when he paused to address the audience.
“No disrespect,” he said before beginning to perform his hit “Cry Me A River.”
The single, which was featured on his 2002 debut solo album “Justified,” was harshly criticized by Spears, also 42, in her memoir “The Woman In Me” earlier this year for dealing with her traumatic breakup with the NSYNC singer in the same year.
Timberlake 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.
Justin Timberlake appeared to allude to the anger his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears unleashed on him during a performance in Las Vegas on Wednesday night and one of his biggest songs
The 42-year-old singer and actor was performing at the opening of the Fontainebleau in Sin City when he paused to address the audience as he introduced Cry Me A River with the words “No disrespect.”
The single, which was featured on his 2002 debut solo album “Justified,” was harshly criticized by Spears, also 42, in her memoir “The Woman In Me” earlier this year for dealing with her traumatic breakup with the NSYNC singer in the same year; seen in 2000
It might have been an awkward moment for Timberlake and his family as his wife Jessica Biel was also in the audience at the opening show.
According to People, she was seen dancing and singing along to her husband's hits throughout the performance, including “Cry Me A River.”
In an Instagram post shared on Thursday, he posted a photo of himself and his wife walking down a hallway in the hotel.
Justin, pictured from behind, wore a black tuxedo and carried Jessica's high heels in his hand as she walked behind her in a flowing white dress with a modest train.
“I could never walk a mile in her shoes, but you know it was a good night when I wear the heels home,” he wrote in his caption.
Justin also posted behind-the-scenes snaps from his backstage warm-ups with his band and his performance in front of the casino crowd.
In her recent memoir, Spears wrote about how she felt speechless after her ex released his Top 5 hit, effectively supporting his narrative that he was the wronged party in their breakup.
“I felt at the time that there was no way to tell my side of the story,” she wrote on People in “The Woman In Me.” “I couldn't explain it because I knew no one would be on my side once Justin convinced the world of his version. I don't think Justin realized the power he had when he shamed me. I don’t think he understands it to this day.”
It might have been an awkward moment for Timberlake and his family as his wife Jessica Biel was also in the audience at the opening show. She was seen dancing throughout the performance and singing along to her husband's hits, including “Cry Me A River.”
In an Instagram post shared on Thursday, he posted a photo of himself and his wife walking down a hallway in the hotel. “I could never walk a mile in her shoes, but it was a lovely night wearing the heels home,” he wrote
Timberlake 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 at the time that there was no way to tell my side of the story,” Britney said of the song in her memoir. “I couldn't explain it because I knew no one would be on my side once Justin convinced the world of his version. I don't think Justin realized the power he had when he shamed me. I don't think he understands it to this day.
Justin also delved into the making of Cry Me A River and the impact his recently ended relationship with Britney had on it in his 2018 memoir Hindsight. “I was despised. I was mad. “This feeling inspired me to write Cry Me A River,” he wrote
Justin also delved into the making of Cry Me A River and the impact his recently ended relationship with Britney had on it in his 2018 memoir Hindsight.
“I was despised. I was mad. “This feeling inspired me to write Cry Me A River,” he wrote.
But he was more reserved in an apology he shared on social media in February 2021, after Britney's fans began mobilizing to try to end her year-long conservatorship and a damaging New York Times documentary – which was not published by Spears was authorized – her conservatorship examined their relationship and the consequences of their separation.
“I understand that I fell short in these and many other moments… I would like to apologize specifically to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson individually because I care and respect these women and I know I have failed.” he said, while also referencing renewed criticism he received for his role in the “wardrobe malfunction” during his performance with Jackson at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.
Although he reportedly took full part in the show, which included ripping off part of Jackson's outfit to expose one of her breasts, his career continued to soar while hers suffered for years.
Britney's conservatorship was dissolved nine months later, in November 2021.
Although Justin wore a tasteful black tuxedo as he explored the casino with Jessica, he changed into a more playful white tuxedo jacket for his appearance on stage.
He shared photos of himself bathed in lights on stage, surrounded by a crowd of backup dancers and singers.
Justin posted behind-the-scenes footage of his backstage warm-ups with his band and his performance in front of the casino crowd
He shared photos of himself bathed in lights on stage, surrounded by a crowd of backup dancers and singers
Although Justin wore a tasteful black tuxedo as he explored the casino with Jessica, he changed into a more playful white tuxedo jacket for his appearance on stage
In addition to Cry Me A River, he also played hits like SexyBack, Rock Your Body and his Trolls anthem Can't Stop The Feeling
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
In addition to Cry Me A River, he also played hits like SexyBack, Rock Your Body and his Trolls anthem Can't Stop The Feeling.
The final song of the evening was Mirrors, which was featured on his 2013 album The 20/20 Experience.
Afterwards, Justin wrote that he wrote the song in honor of his wife Jessica.
“We lived together back then. We weren't engaged yet. In fact, it took me years before I proposed to her…” he shared, before pointing out how his grandparents were an example of his marriage to her.
“The video became a dedication to my grandparents.” From them I learned about lasting love. “I know that’s what I have with my wife…” he gushed. “She changed me. She changed my life. All of this is in Mirrors. Not the details. But how did it feel when she touched my life.”