
A new Britney Spears documentary has evoked some intense reactions about the role people around her played in the aftermath of her public struggles with mental illness.
Ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake has been at the forefront of this, with viewers labelling him “disgusting” and a “villain” in the story of her public meltdown.
Long time stans of the pop icon have always believed he unfairly capitalised on their break up and her subsequent public perception, catapulting himself to solo stardom in the process.
But the release of Framing Britney Spears has opened his actions up to a wider audience, and people are now seething.
One of the biggest power couples of the early 2000s, their breakup was anything but pop perfection.
The documentary makes it clear that Timberlake was positioned as the victim and stayed largely silent when his ex was under intense media scrutiny years later.
Many fans believe his depiction of their relationship in his breakout solo work allowed him to garner sympathy and sell records. His debut single 'Cry Me A River' appeared to depict Britney as a cheater, and he famously went on to give interviews in which he commented on their sex life to the press.
Fans are now demanding an apology.
what is joe biden and kamala harris’ plans to finally make justin timberlake pay for his crimes against janet jackson and britney spears— brie. (@brie.) 1612666738
Justin Timberlake is a damn villain. What he did to Britney, Janet, etc. He’s disgusting.— Tom Cruise’s Shoe Lifts (@Tom Cruise’s Shoe Lifts) 1612658171
Justin Timberlake’s publicist is doing the rounds this morning.... #FramingBritneySpears #FreeBritney https://t.co/4Q4oocdZnF— Jordan Jay Harrison (@Jordan Jay Harrison) 1612710352
Justin Timberlake deserves all the heat he’s getting... and that’s that on that. #FramingBritney— caleb st. croix (@caleb st. croix) 1612729773
Even IF Britney Spears cheated on Justin Timberlake, and we don't know she did, she didn't deserve her ex going on… https://t.co/st4NwFDBAW— Lane Moore👉NYC 1/22, 2/5 Baltimore (@Lane Moore👉NYC 1/22, 2/5 Baltimore) 1612741239
The documentary reveals a staggering amount about the powerful people that surround her.
Justin now falls into the list of the many people the documentary implicates as having played a role in fueling the fires of her downfall.
He is listed along with Britney’s father (and former conservator), her former manager Sam Lufti, and ex-husband Kevin Federline.
Watched the Britney Spears doc last night. Legal questions aside, it’s eye-opening. The documented societal treatme… https://t.co/9LOGcY3XPu— Robert J. DeNault (@Robert J. DeNault) 1612717692
Diane Sawyer, Justin Timberlake..... https://t.co/Gtg2SrDP0o— Kels ✨ (@Kels ✨) 1612742778
Happy Super Bowl Sunday to everyone except Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears’ dad. #FreeBritney https://t.co/3DZHKczgPU— 𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙸𝙴 𝙰𝚆𝙰𝚈 (@𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙸𝙴 𝙰𝚆𝙰𝚈) 1612737117
What's more, the whole thing dropping at the same time as the Super Bowl is reminding people of Justin's role in the public shaming of Janet Jackson, following their performance in 2004.
There's even a Wikipedia page dedicated to the controversy.
Justin Timberlake getting dragged during Super Bowl weekend is beautiful redemption. #JanetJacksonAppreciationDay https://t.co/iAoYfIi04z— brittny pierre (@brittny pierre) 1612718862
Framing Britney Spears opens up a lot of discussion in the wake of the ever-growing #FreeBritney movement.
Its release is timely, given how frequently the issue of her conservatorship has been in the headlines over the past year.
With her next court hearing in a matter of days, fans will be sitting tightly.
indy100 has reached out to Timberlake for comment