Britney Spears' fans baffled after she issues apology to Justin Timberlake: 'Deeply sorry'

Britney Spears fans have been left confused after the singer issued an apology to Justin Timberlake for some of the content in her memoir The Woman in Me.

The singer took to Instagram to share a video of Justin on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where they performed a series of the 'Señorita' singer's hits using classroom instruments.

"I wanna apologize for some of the things I wrote about in my book," Britney wrote. "If I offended any of the people I genuinely care about I am deeply sorry… I also wanted to say I am in love with Justin Timberlake’s new song 'Selfish' 🌹 It is soo good and how come every time I see Justin and Jimmy together I laugh so hard???"

She finished by offering a shoutout to another new song that Justin debuted on Saturday Night Live, writing, "Ps “Sanctified” is wow 🤩 too."

Britney's fans take on Justin

It comes following the release of Justin's new song 'Selfish', with hardcore Britney fans streaming her 2011 song of the same name, causing it to enter the Top 40 on the US iTunes chart last week, the same day JT's new song was released.

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Britney's song ended up reaching the No. 1 spot, while Justin's only made it to No. 3.

Britney's bombshell claims about Justin

Hardcore fans of the singer have disliked Justin ever since the release of his 2002 track 'Cry Me A River', which appeared to called out Britney for cheating on him during their relationship.

The pair began dating in secret in 1999 and broke up in 2002, with Britney sharing several bombshell claims about the relationship in her book, including that she had an abortion, because Justin "wasn't happy" about the pregnancy and "didn't want to be a father".

Britney's fans confused over apology to Justin

While Britney has had comments turned off on her posts, her fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their thoughts on the apology, with many confused about why she felt the need to apologise.

"[In my opinion] Britney isn't apologizing to people 𝑠ℎ𝑒 offended she's giving herself an apology she knows she'll never get from the people that have offended her," one fan who read deeply into the situation wrote. "It's self care & she's still trying to heal. Fans were having fun some people got in their feelings about it–neither is wrong."

"I hate that Britney Spears is apologizing to Justin Timberlake or implying this apology to him!" another said. "What happened happened. You have every right to write what you experienced. Don't lose your credibility to be nice to this man! I hate that we as women do this."

"You don't have anything to apologize about Britney — you're actually OWED apologies," a third added.

"Wtf is this? Did they [pay] her??" someone else said, referencing Justin's 2020 apology to Britney and Janet Jackson. "That man was a monster from 2001-2013 and had to apologise only because people & media start putting his horrible behaviour on the table and how he used women (Janet Jackson / Britney) for his own profit even before Britney book was out!"

Justin's 2021 apology to Britney

Justin apologised to Britney and Janet in 2021, writing: "I’ve seen the messages, tags, comments and concerns and I want to respond."

The singer referenced the controversial 'wardrobe malfunction' that happened on-stage at the Super Bowl, where he ripped off part of Janet's outfit, exposing her breast. While Janet's reputation sank, Justin's only grew.

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"I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed," he said. "I also feel compelled to respond, in part, because everyone involved deserves better and most importantly, because this is a larger conversation that I wholeheartedly want to be a part of and grow from."

He also took aim at the music industry, which "sets men, especially white men, up for success".

"It’s designed this way. As a man in a privileged position I have to be vocal about this," he said. "Because of my ignorance, I didn’t recognize it for all that it was while it was happening in my own life but I do not want to ever benefit from others being pulled down ever again."

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