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In the past week, sources have had a lot to say about Justin Timberlake’s feelings regarding Britney Spears’ memoir The Woman in Me, with most making it clear that he is not too happy that his relationship with Spears is making headlines again.
Less than one day after the book’s official release, Us Weekly and Daily Mail have more detail from sources close to Timberlake and Spears about how he didn’t expect Spears to share as much as she has about Timberlake dumping her over text message, their secret abortion, and allegations of Timberlake cheating, among other reveals. (Spears admitted to cheating on Timberlake too by making out with Wade Robson.)
Those sources also provided conflicting reports on whether Timberlake plans to contact her.
Regarding Timberlake’s alleged cheating, a source told Us Weekly that during the early 2000s, Timberlake was “a playboy,” and Spears only knew about “a fraction” of the times he was unfaithful. Spears and Timberlake dated from 1999 to 2002; Spears was 17 when they first started seeing each other. Timberlake was just a year older.
“As they rose to fame, Justin started to want to experience life without Britney,” the source explained. “[She] was so loyal to him, and it was not reciprocated later in their relationship. Britney cheating with Wade wasn’t a huge surprise because she wanted to get back at [Justin]; she had looked the other way for years.”
A second source told Us Weekly that Timberlake really wasn’t expecting the treatment Spears gave him in her book. “Justin thought Britney might talk about their ups and downs in more general terms—not air out their very personal, dirty laundry,” that source said. “He’s disappointed she went this route decades after they split up.”
That source added, “They’ve been out of each other’s lives for such a long time. Justin finds it odd that Britney still talks about him so much.”
That said, Timberlake doesn’t plan to hide from the media either. “Justin isn’t going to lie low or avoid doing press because of Britney’s claims,” the source said. “He wants to get past the drama and focus on his work and his family. He has a lot to look forward to.”
A second source had a more sympathetic take on Timberlake’s views of the book. “Justin regrets that he hurt Britney. He was young,” that source said. “He thinks Britney has every right to tell her story and hopes they can move on now.”
That source told Us that Timberlake is considering reaching out to Spears “to see if she’d like to talk things out. He wants to ask if there’s anything he can do.”
His wife Jessica Biel knew about Timberlake and Spears’ abortion before the book came out. “Jessica feels bad for Britney,” the source said of the treatment Spears endured from Timberlake during their relationship and its end.
Daily Mail spoke to a source close to Spears, who said that, in fact, Timberlake doesn’t plan to talk to her. “Justin has not reached out to Britney at all about any of this and he is not going to because there is nothing he can say to her,” the source said. “She was there and is just telling it from her point of view. That does not mean he is okay with it. Justin is not at all happy about what has come out in this book.”
Spears is unbothered by this. “Doing this book has given Britney life and she really doesn’t care who is offended by anything in it because it is what happened,” the source said. “She was there and lived through it. No one can say anything. She has got this all out of her and is moving on now.”
Senior News and Strategy Editor
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.