"Framing Britney Spears," the new documentary from The New York Times (currently airing on FX and Hulu), has completely reset the cultural narrative around the pop icon, to say the very least. In a little over an hour, the doc exposes the complex—and hugely damaging—machinery that simultaneously turned Britney into the biggest pop star in the world and sapped her of her sense of self and control over her own life. Decades after the fact, we're finally realizing the collective role we all played in perpetuating her misogynistic framing in the media and her mental health struggles over the years, prompting countless viewers to issue apologies and messages of support to the star online.
One apology that has yet to arrive? Justin Timberlake's. About 20 minutes into "Framing Britney Spears," the focus shifts to the breakup heard 'round the world, when Brit and JT called it quits in 2002 after three years of dating. In the aftermath of their split, Timberlake was portrayed in the media as a sensitive musician with a broken heart, while Britney made headlines for her "wild nights" and apparent "betrayal" of Timberlake, and was chastised in an interview with Diane Sawyer for causing her ex-boyfriend "so much pain, so much suffering." Because all breakups are completely one-sided, right?
Timberlake, meanwhile, did absolutely nothing to rectify the narrative that positioned him as the victim of Britney's actions as the apparently remorseless villain in their relationship. In fact, he further encouraged and profited off the rumors that he'd been cheated on by a man-eating vixen with his music video for "Cry Me a River," one of his first solo singles. The video acts as something of a revenge fantasy for Timberlake, who breaks into his ex-girlfriend's home and films himself making out with an anonymous dark-haired woman there, then leaves that video playing on the TV for his ex—a blonde dressed in Britney's then-trademark newsboy hat and low-rise bootcut jeans—to discover. Wow, so clever and not at all sexist!
The former boy bander has yet to comment on "Framing Britney Spears," but in the meantime, plenty of viewers have taken to his Instagram comments and their own social media feeds to demand that he issue a formal apology for the role he played in dehumanizing his ex and delegitimizing her own experience in the breakup.
Some are calling on JT to apologize to Britney
The internet looking for Justin’s explanation/apology. pic.twitter.com/pGW8GSeQ3fFebruary 9, 2021
still waiting for justin timberlake to publicly apologize to britney spearsFebruary 7, 2021
Today’s a great day for @jtimberlake to publicly own up to his misogyny and apologize to Britney Spears. #FramingBritneySpears #FreeBritneyFebruary 8, 2021
Seventeen minutes into #FramingBritneySpears and I’m ready to kill all the men, immediatelyFebruary 6, 2021
who is justin timberlake’s PR? because now would be an excellent time to make a long, thoughtful, heartfelt, statement apologizing to both britney and janet. wrap it in a ‘i was a young man doing what i was told and i see how incredibly misogynistic and harmful my actions were’February 9, 2021
who is justin timberlake’s PR? because now would be an excellent time to make a long, thoughtful, heartfelt, statement apologizing to both britney and janet. wrap it in a ‘i was a young man doing what i was told and i see how incredibly misogynistic and harmful my actions were’February 9, 2021
So we all agree that Justin Timberlake has always been the villain and owes Britney an apology now right? Okay cool.February 8, 2021
Others are simply fuming over his behavior
Watching this Britney doc and YES 2021 in the year we publicly acknowledge that Justin Timberlake LAUNCHED HIS CAREER BY SLUT-SHAMING BRITNEY. He completely capitalized on their private relationship. Dickhole. #FramingBritneySpearsFebruary 6, 2021
Can we just talk about the fact Justin timberlake bragged about taking Britney Spears virginity and sold stories to magazines for front cover spreads blasting it and was applauded! If that was a woman doing it she would instantly be cancelled and branded a ‘slut’ #FreeBritneyFebruary 9, 2021
#FramingBritneySpears is just another reminder that Justin Timberlake is a gross man baby. #BritneySpears #JanetJackson pic.twitter.com/zORwDzj6mQFebruary 6, 2021
hate when you watch a documentary before bed and then just lie there consumed with a desire to fistfight justin timberlakeFebruary 9, 2021
Eight minutes into the nyt britney doc and prepared to tear jamie spears limb from limbFebruary 6, 2021
Justin Timberlake should be ashamed for allowing the world to tarnish Britney’s while using it for his own personal gain.February 9, 2021
Watching a scared little 17 year old girl backed into a corner by grown men asking about her virginity on national tv was a disturbing reminder of how toxic the media & society as a whole has been for so long. We’ve come a long way but there’s still a ways to go. #FramingBritneyFebruary 9, 2021
And many are bringing up the part he played in similarly villainizing Janet Jackson in 2004
what is joe biden and kamala harris’ plans to finally make justin timberlake pay for his crimes against janet jackson and britney spearsFebruary 7, 2021
Crazy how Justin Timberlake had such a hand in fucking over the careers and lives of two of the most talented women in music, ever. Anyways stream Janet Jackson and Britney Spears and I hope both women have an AMAZING day.February 7, 2021
the only way i will ever know peace is by getting a Britney/Janet half time show. it's the only way we can truly get revenge on Justin Timberlake.February 7, 2021
Justin Timberlake’s career catapulted at the expense of two brilliant women in Pop music (Janet Jackson & Britney Spears) & to this day, he has yet to take ownership of his grotesque actions.February 7, 2021
watching this Framing Britney Spears documentary and processing what happened to her with adult eyes is almost overwhelming. jesusFebruary 6, 2021
Can’t stop thinking about how Justin Timberlake got to skate by without injuring his reputation while Janet Jackson and Britney Spears got publicly destroyed after professional (Janet) and romantic (Britney) entanglements with him. Misogyny, man.February 7, 2021
Can’t stop thinking about how Justin Timberlake got to skate by without injuring his reputation while Janet Jackson and Britney Spears got publicly destroyed after professional (Janet) and romantic (Britney) entanglements with him. Misogyny, man.February 7, 2021
Oh yeah if you already don't like Justin Timberlake, you are going to REALLY not like him if you watch this documentary. I'll give it to him, he makes great music. Unfortunately, I don't think I can apply that same adjective towards his character.February 7, 2021
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