Arrest of Justin Timberlake Sparks Discussion About Karmic Justice in Society
A three-decade-long career for Timberlake, known for being a Disney Mouseketeer, a member of NSYNC, a solo artist, and a movie star, hasn't been without controversy. He's faced public scrutiny, from his personal life to his professional life, especially after his Super Bowl debacle.
Timberlake, who largely avoided a mugshot until now, was recently arrested in New York for allegedly driving under the influence. This incident sparked schadenfreude on social media, with some viewing it as a form of pop culture karma. Some speculate that this is due to his perceived treatment of his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears and fellow performer Janet Jackson. Interestingly enough, streams of Spears’ 2011 single "Criminal" spiked following Timberlake's arrest.
Let's revisit some highlights and lowlights of Timberlake's career:
Love at Work
When NSYNC, consisting of Timberlake, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass, debuted in 1995, Timberlake was one of the standout members. Hits like "I Want You Back," "Tearin’ Up My Heart," "Bye Bye Bye," and "It’s Gonna Be Me" propelled NSYNC to fame in the late '90s, making them one of the most successful male vocal groups of all time.
Timberlake found love with fellow pop star Britney Spears, whom he met on the set of “Mickey Mouse Club” and reconnected with when she opened for NSYNC on tour. Their first public appearance as a couple was at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, and they became famous for wearing matching denim outfits on the red carpet.
2001 was a significant year for the couple. They performed together during the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show, Spears had an iconic performance with an albino Burmese python at the MTV Video Music Awards, and it was revealed that they were living together. However, they broke up the following year.
Timberlake's single "Cry Me a River," released after their breakup, focused on infidelity and featured a Spears look-alike in the music video. The success of this single and others on his “Justified” album established him as a solo artist.
Years later, in her memoir “The Woman In Me,” Spears revealed that she had become pregnant by Timberlake during their relationship and had an abortion. Timberlake never directly responded to these claims.
The End of NSYNC
NSYNC went on a hiatus in 2002, around the same time Timberlake released his first solo album. Despite his solo aspirations, Timberlake initially downplayed their separation. The band hasn't fully split, reuniting a few times for performances and award presentations. Fans have been eager for new music for years, with their anticipation intensifying after they reunited for the song "Better Place" for the soundtrack of "Trolls Band Together." Timberlake fueled this desire by including another song with his former group, “Paradise,” on his latest album, “Everything I Thought I Was.” He also invited them on stage to perform with him at a show in Los Angeles in March.
Super Bowl Wardrobe Malfunction
The infamous Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show performance by Timberlake and Janet Jackson in 2004, where Timberlake ripped Janet's top and exposed her breast, is still a topic of controversy. Despite the incident, Jackson's career suffered, and many supporters are still not over it. Timberlake was criticized for not supporting Jackson more in the aftermath, and this incident is often cited as a reason for his perceived treatment of Jackson and Britney Spears.
The pair maintained that the wardrobe mishap was not a deliberate publicity stunt and, in her 2022 Lifetime documentary, Jackson stated that she tried to guide Timberlake following the controversial incident.
"We had a conversation, and he mentioned, 'I'm not sure if I should come forward with a statement,'" she narrated. "I told him, 'Mate, I don't want any drama for you. They're firing all their arrows at me.' So, I just suggested if I were him, I wouldn't utter a word."
According to Jackson, the incident was extensively exaggerated.
"Obviously, it was an unintentional slip-up. It ought not to have happened, but everyone seems to be seeking someone to blame, and that needs to stop," she declared in the documentary. "Justin and I are buddies, and we will always be great friends. We had a chat just the other day, and he and I have moved on. It's time for everyone else to do the same."
Concerningly, Timberlake publicly apologized to both Jackson and Spears in 2021 via social media for his lapses, expressing that he feels a need to engage in the larger discourse surrounding the event.
"I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both personally, because I respect and care for these women and I acknowledge my shortcomings," he wrote. "I also feel it's essential to comment, given the fact that everyone involved deserves better and most importantly, because this is a broader discussion that I am keen to be a part of and evolve from."
While Timberlake did not elaborate on specific actions for which he felt remorseful in his statement, his comments came at a time when discussions about his performance with Jackson and his separation from Spears were revived. (Spears was engulfed in a prestigious legal struggle involving her conservatorship and had gained numerous supporters following the broadcast of "Framing Britney Spears," a documentary scrutinizing the singer's career and the harmful media attention she faced.)
Screen success and romance
Apart from hit singles like "SexyBack" from his 2006 album "FutureSex/LoveSounds" and "Mirrors" from the "20/20 Experience," Timberlake flourished in the film industry with roles in "The Social Network" and "Bad Teacher."
He also found love, marrying actress and producer Jessica Biel in 2012. Together, they are proud parents of sons, Silas, 9, and Phineas, 3.
"Love at first sight isn't limited to the first time you see your significant other. You make me believe that... because every time I look at you, I fall in love bigger and better than I ever could have imagined," Timberlake penned for Biel in a Valentine's Day post shared on Instagram. "Every day I spend with you reminds me how fortunate I am to experience love without boundaries or constraints. You make me laugh like a kid, and love with a tenacity that leaves me in awe."
Their passionate relationship has encountered a few problematic moments. In 2019, images emerged of Timberlake holding hands with his co-star Alisha Wainwright while they were filming the drama "Palmer" in New Orleans.
He publicly apologized to Biel at the time via a statement.
"A few weeks prior, I demonstrated a grave lapse in judgment — but let me be clear — nothing transpired between me and my co-star," he wrote. "I overindulged that night and I regret my behavior. I should have known better."
He added: "I apologize to my amazing wife and family for putting them through such an awkward situation, and I am committed to being the best husband and father I can be. This was not that."
At present, Timberlake might be regretting again.
He has yet to publicly comment on his DWI charge. An attorney for the singer informed CNN that Timberlake was also cited for neglecting to stop at a stop sign and drifting from his designated lane. Timberlake is currently on his "Ignoring Tomorrow World Tour" and is scheduled to perform in Chicago this weekend.
Read also:
Following his arrest for allegedly driving under the influence, Justin Timberlake's incident caused a stir on social media, with some attributing it to pop culture karma due to his past controversies, such as his treatment of Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. (Entertainment)
In her memoir, Britney Spears revealed that she had become pregnant by Justin Timberlake during their relationship and had an abortion. (Entertainment)
