Justin Timberlake marked his musical comeback with a highly praised performance of his new single "Selfish" on Saturday Night Live, showcasing his talent after a decade-long absence from Studio 8h.
The former *NSYNC member also treated the audience to "Sanctified," another track from his upcoming album, "Everything I Thought It Was," introduced by his longtime friend and Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon.
Despite Timberlake's positive reception, Britney Spears' 2011 song, also titled "Selfish," has surprisingly outperformed his latest release on the charts. Spears' fans orchestrated a surge in streaming for the little-known track from the deluxe edition of her "Femme Fatale" album, propelling it to the number one position on iTunes. This resurgence in Spears' song popularity happened shortly after Timberlake's musical return, showcasing the ongoing influence of the pop icon.
Spears, now 42, continues to hold her own on iTunes, surpassing Timberlake in chart performance. The strong showing of her lesser-known track indicates the enduring support of her fanbase, who have harbored a grudge against Timberlake since his 2002 single "Cry Me a River," where he accused her of infidelity and featured a look-alike in the music video.
The Spears-Timberlake saga gained renewed attention last year with the release of Spears' memoir, "The Woman in Me." In the book, she detailed their three-year relationship and revealed deeply personal aspects, including an abortion she underwent because Timberlake was not ready to be a father. The memoir reignited discussions about their past, bringing to light allegations and grievances from both sides.
Timberlake's performance of "Sanctified" on SNL, featuring rapper and singer Ty Dolla $ign and a black church congregation, sparked discussions on social media. Some users expressed discomfort with Timberlake seemingly appropriating a church setting, given his past controversies. The diverse reactions on social media underscore the complex nature of Timberlake's relationship with the public, especially in the context of cultural sensitivity.
As Timberlake releases his new album, "Everything I Thought It Was," his first since 2018's "Man of the Woods," there's anticipation for the direction his music will take. Page Six reported an ambitious era ahead for the Grammy winner, including a concert tour. Timberlake, who married Jessica Biel in 2012, shares two sons with her, while Britney Spears shares two sons with ex-husband Kevin Federline. Notably, Spears' third marriage to Sam Asghari ended in divorce last year after over a year of marriage.
