Britney Spears recalls Justin Timberlake ‘Blaccent’ incident in book

Justin Timberlake’s polarizing popularity within the Black neighborhood might have taken one other hit, due to new revelations from Britney Spears’ new memoir. The pop star launched “The Lady in Me” this month, her e-book that features an incident wherein Timberlake, Spears’ now-former boyfriend, mimicked a Black accent whereas addressing a Black singer.

An audio model of Spears’ memoir options actress Michelle Williams studying the tome’s textual content. An excerpt of the audiobook leaked on-line, and in it, Spears explains how Timberlake’s former vocal group, *NSYNC, preferred hanging out with Black artists whereas attempting to slot in with them.

“His band *NSYNC is what individuals again then referred to as ‘so pimp,’” Spears wrote, as learn by Williams. “They had been white boys, however they cherished hip-hop.” She continued with an anecdote on how Timberlake and *NSYNC “tried too exhausting to slot in” with Black artists and Spears witnessing him speaking to R&B singer Ginuwine with exaggerated Black slang.

“Someday, J and I had been in New York, going to components of city I’d by no means been to earlier than,” Williams reads. “Strolling our manner was a man with an enormous blinged-out medallion. He was flanked by two big safety guards. J received all excited and mentioned, so loud, ‘Ah, yeah! Fo’ shiz, fo’ shiz! Ginuwine! What’s up, homie?’”

The excerpt of Williams’ voicing of Spears impersonating the a number of award-winning singer-actor has gone viral on social media, solely fueling Timberlake’s detractors, who’ve lengthy accused him of cultural appropriation, decrying how he used to put on Black hairstyles throughout *NSYNC’s heyday, like an Afro or cornrows.

He confirmed off these hairstyles throughout a 2000 HBO live performance of *NSYNC throughout their “No Strings Connected” Tour. Timberlake beatboxed on stage, mimicking a scratching turntable in a solo drum battle.

Different revelations in Spears’ memoir — together with a passage about him getting her pregnant and her subsequent abortion — have shined a harsh mild on Timberlake. The “SexyBack” singer lately turned off the feedback on his Instagram web page amid the backlash, in keeping with Leisure Tonight.

Timberlake’s polarizing place within the Black neighborhood stems from his 2004 Tremendous Bowl halftime present with Janet Jackson. After he uncovered her breast throughout their efficiency collectively in a wardrobe malfunction, Jackson’s profession suffered whereas Timberlake’s continued to flourish.

Followers demanded a public apology from Timberlake for over a decade. Nonetheless, Timberlake glossed over the Jackson controversy, together with in a 2006 interview with MTV and a 2008 Apple Music dialog with Zane Lowe. Nonetheless, after a 2021 Spears documentary on Hulu, “Framing Britney Spears,” shared damning details about Timberlake, he lastly posted a formal apology to each Jackson and Spears for his questionable habits through the years.

“I particularly wish to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson each individually, as a result of I look after and respect these ladies, and I do know I failed,” Timberlake acknowledged, The New York Occasions reported. “Due to my ignorance, I didn’t acknowledge it for all that it was whereas it was occurring in my very own life, however I don’t wish to ever profit from others being pulled down once more.”

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