Justin Timberlake is in pop culture exile, but we shouldn’t gloat about his arrest
Get Music Inside Scoop: Join Roisin O'Connor's Newsletter
Free Email: Now Hear This
It was a disappointing moment for Justin Timberlake when he got stopped by the police while driving in the Hamptons and was later charged with driving under the influence. The worst part was that the police officer had no idea who he was. Even when Justin mentioned his ongoing world tour, the officer wasn't familiar with it and asked, "What tour?"
It's uncertain if the events mentioned in a US tabloid called The New York Post really took place as they only rely on unnamed "sources." One of these sources may have been Britney Spears speaking with a British accent, but we can't be sure. Nevertheless, this story has spread all over the internet, causing more problems for Justin Timberlake. He's taken a lot of criticism over the past few years, despite not being in the public eye as much. His recent arrest and unappealing mugshot are just more ways people can attack him. However, this situation raises an important question about what we should do when a former popstar is stuck in a strange place between being remembered as a young, successful performer and being reconsidered in old age. In short, what are our options for dealing with Justin Timberlake?
In recent years, Timberlake has been the subject of unfavorable media coverage, particularly when it comes to two women: Janet Jackson, who bore sole responsibility for exposing her nipple during their joint musical performance at the Super Bowl back in 2004, and his ex-girlfriend Spears, whose time in the limelight and the way she was treated following their highly publicized split has been reevaluated in various documentaries about the singer as well as in her own memoir published in 2023.
Timberlake used his charm and privilege as a white man to avoid criticism and mocking, unlike the women around him. This earned him the nickname of "Teflon man" by People Magazine. This has made him a favorite target for online fans seeking revenge for Spears and Jackson, even though neither of them may want it at this point.
Many people criticize Justin Timberlake by ignoring his unique charm and focusing solely on his collaboration with Timbaland and his relationship with Britney Spears. Although Britney Spears and Timbaland played a significant role in Timberlake's success, it is unfair to discount his own appeal. At the height of his glory, Justin Timberlake was an amazing pop star, possessing incredible stage presence and voice, able to capture his audience with his contagious energy. For instance, his "SexyBack" was both sensual and irresistible, while "Rock Your Body" emulated Michael Jackson's style, and "What Goes Around... Comes Around" captured his persona's rebellious and playful side. Although he sported some terrible hairstyles, made some ridiculous comments about Spears's virginity, and imitated a black accent, Timberlake's undeniable talent overshadowed his flaws. In the end, his success was a product of his time, and he did an excellent job at it. Ultimately we must be fair to Justin Timberlake and appreciate his contributions to the music industry.
Currently, Timberlake finds himself in a peculiar place within the realm of popular culture. His latest album, Everything I Thought It Was, was a commercial failure with The Independent's Helen Brown stating that it was lackluster and unstimulating. Reports suggest that his world tour is not drawing a significant amount of ticket sales either. In March, Variety dubbed him and Jennifer Lopez, another 90s icon facing the same struggles with unsuccessful new work and unjustified ridicule online, as figures having a hard time "aging with grace" in the public's eyes. His high-profile arrest couldn't have happened at a worse time.
Timberlake is only 43 years old, so he's not quite at the point where he can make money from nostalgia. Although his former boy band *Nsync has reunited with him for brief appearances in his Trolls movies, it hasn't been a huge success, which suggests that a full comeback tour is still premature. On top of that, his recent album Man of the Woods, where he tried out a folksy singer-songwriter style, was not a total failure, but it didn't produce any hit songs, indicating that he hasn't built up a loyal fan base over the years.
So, what's the best move for Justin Timberlake? He probably shouldn't completely disappear, but maybe taking a break from the spotlight and not trying to recreate an outdated version of his fame would be wise. Before releasing his album Everything I Thought It Was, Timberlake tried to promote it with uninspired copies of his past successes. He showed up on Saturday Night Live to act like an old skit, teased a possible *Nsync reunion that never materialized, and shared new songs that sounded like they were from his peak pop-R&B era. Unfortunately, none of it felt innovative or interesting, and it wasn't clear who he wanted as his audience. Maybe stepping back, developing a fresh and modern sound, and waiting until people miss him would be his best strategy. Or, if that doesn't work, he could wait for a while until fans from the Nineties are ready for a new *Nsync performance.
It's not okay to make fun of Justin Timberlake when he's going through a tough time. Celebrating his arrest is cruel and doesn't align with the values of forgiveness and moving on. Although he made mistakes in his younger years, it doesn't make sense to punish him for them as he gets older. It's better to let him live his life and make better choices, but he should steer clear of driving for a while.
