Music producer Timbaland has issued an apology after making a comment that singer and songwriter Justin Timberlake "should have put a muzzle" on his ex-girlfriend, pop star Britney Spears. Timbaland's remark was made during a live interview on October 29 at the Kennedy Center with 9th Wonder.
The comment was in response to a question from an audience member about the renewed interest in the producer's collaboration with Timberlake, "Cry Me a River," in light of Spears' memoir. Timbaland's comment was criticized, and he has since apologized for it.
After a heavy day of backlash on social media, Timbaland went live on TikTok as he does most nights, showing remorse for his comments. "I apologise to the Britney fans and her," he said, reading a comment asking about his attitude towards women. "Yes, 'you know about respecting women?' Hell yeah."
In an excerpt from Britney Spears' memoir, titled 'The Woman in Me,' Spears discusses how Justin Timberlake's music video for "Cry Me a River" portrayed her as a villain in the aftermath of their highly publicized relationship.
The video featured Timberlake dealing with an unfaithful girlfriend who bore a resemblance to Spears, seemingly confirming media rumors that she had cheated on Timberlake.
This portrayal had a significant impact on Spears and added to the public scrutiny and narratives surrounding her personal life at the time.
In the book, Spears describes the video as "a woman who looks like me cheats on him and he wanders around sad in the rain."
She writes that the media attention that erupted because of the music video’s release turned her into a "harlot who'd broken the heart of America's golden boy," when in reality she was "comatose in Louisiana" nursing a broken heart and Timberlake was “happily running around Hollywood."
Timbaland was heavily involved in the creation of "Cry Me a River." He co-wrote and co-produced the song and even sang the bridge in the track. He also made an appearance in the music video.
In addition to "Cry Me a River," Timbaland has had a longstanding collaboration with Justin Timberlake, producing Timberlake's 2006 hit album, "FutureSex/LoveSounds," and 2013's "The 20/20 Experience."
Timbaland also confirmed to 'Variety' earlier this year that he had completed recording Timberlake's new album, hinting that it has a sound reminiscent of "FutureSex/LoveSounds."
(With Agency Inputs)
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