Justin Timberlake recently made a highly anticipated comeback on “Saturday Night Live” with a performance of his new single, “Selfish.” While he received mostly positive reviews for his performance, it seems that his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears’ 2011 song of the same name is performing better on the charts. This raises questions about Timberlake’s current standing in the music industry and the impact of his past controversies.
Timberlake’s performance on “Saturday Night Live” marked his first appearance in a decade at Studio 8H. He not only performed “Selfish” but also presented another track from his upcoming album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” titled “Sanctified.” The performance was introduced by his long-time friend and “Tonight Show” host, Jimmy Fallon. While Timberlake’s fans were excited to see him back on stage, it seems that Spears’ fans were equally as excited, pushing her lesser-known track from the deluxe edition of her album “Femme Fatale” to the number one position on the charts.
It’s clear that there is still tension between Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake, even years after their split. Timberlake’s accusation of Spears cheating on him in his 2002 single “Cry Me a River” created a rift between them, and the music video even featured a Spears look-alike. The release of Spears’ memoir, “The Woman in Me,” added fuel to the fire as she recounted their 3-year relationship and accused Timberlake of not wanting to be a father, leading her to undergo an abortion. Additionally, she claimed that Timberlake adopted a “blaccent” when he first met R&B singer Ginuwine. These allegations further intensified the ill feelings between them.
Following Spears’ allegations, social media users were quick to comment on Timberlake’s “SNL” performance of “Sanctified” with rapper and singer Tobe Nwigwe and a black church congregation. Some criticized Timberlake for using predominantly black individuals in the band, background singers, and rapper, creating the setting as a small-town black church. These comments accused Timberlake of cultural appropriation and insensitivity. It seems that Timberlake’s attempt to showcase diversity in his performance ended up sparking controversy instead.
“Everything I Thought It Was” is Timberlake’s first album since 2018’s “Man of the Woods.” According to reports, he has an ambitious era planned, including a concert tour. However, with the recent backlash and the continuous success of Spears’ song “Selfish” on the charts, it remains to be seen how well Timberlake’s new album will be received. Furthermore, his personal life has also been a topic of interest, as he is married to actress Jessica Biel and they share two sons. On the other hand, Spears shares two sons with ex-husband Kevin Federline and recently went through a divorce from her third husband, Sam Asghari.
Justin Timberlake’s comeback on “Saturday Night Live” was met with mixed reviews, as his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears’ song “Selfish” continued to perform better on the charts. The controversies surrounding their past relationship and the accusations made in Spears’ memoir have undoubtedly affected Timberlake’s reputation. Additionally, his recent performance on “SNL” sparked criticism for cultural appropriation. As Timberlake launches his new album, it remains to be seen how he will navigate these challenges and whether he can regain the widespread popularity he once enjoyed. Only time will tell.