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It’s Been More Than 15 Years Since Britney and Justin Broke up and We’re Still Not Over It
Do you remember where you were when Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake broke up? I’ll never forget. Weeks after celebrating my 11th birthday by going to see Crossroads with all my besties, I was made aware that Brit-Brit and JT were officially no more. It was an uncharacteristically cold day in March 2002 when I first heard the devastating news on my mom’s favorite morning radio show as she drove me to school. I’m honestly not even trying to be dramatic (OK, maybe a little), but my world froze/pretty much ended in that moment.
Immediately, so many thoughts and questions ran through my pre-teen, Britney-obsessed mind. “Is love not real?” I asked myself, before I literally felt my eyes well up with tears. (I was extra AF as a child.) My poor mother — understandably disturbed by the sight of her young, emotionally rattled son — turned to me and said, “It’s gonna be all right.” But would it? I wasn’t sure — especially if my queen/goddess/life inspiration, Britney, was to blame. Well, as it turned out, she was reportedly responsible for the iconic pair’s catastrophic downfall. Needless to say, I. Was. Crushed.
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Britney and Justin — arguably the most cherished celebrity couple of all time — began dating in 1999, but pulled the plug on their relationship three years later amid reports that the “I’m a Slave 4 U” songstress cheated on her man with choreographer Wade Robson. So, so sad.
To think that Justin ended up with Jessica Biel (sorry, but girl is kinda basic) and that Britney is currently dating a 24-year-old fitness model (Sam Asghari, I’m on to you, dude!) just makes the former power couple’s split all the more heartbreaking. But there’s good news, you guys. No, they may never call each other “Pinky” and “Stinky” ever again, but there is hope that Britney and Justin might reunite in the near future.
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Despite their tainted past, both singers have miraculously moved on from the drama. Appeasing nostalgia-loving hearts everywhere — especially mine, obvi — the blonde beauty, now 35, and the eternal heartthrob, now 36, have previously expressed interest in working on new music together. Britney, who first teamed up with Justin on her 2001 banger “What It’s Like to Be Me” from her third studio album, Britney — he co-wrote the tune and sang background vocals — told fans during an online Q&A in August 2016 that she wouldn’t mind getting back in the studio with her ex.
“Aerosmith [frontman Steven Tyler] seems really good and bright. He’s a genius, I think. He’s very rock ’n’ roll. He sings from his soul. Gwen Stefani, I think she’s great,” she said, listing her dream collaborators, before nonchalantly adding, “Justin Timberlake is very good.” Come again?
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When the ‘NSYNC alum caught wind of Britney’s kind words, he surprisingly revealed he’s on board to record what would undoubtedly be the greatest song of the century. “She [wants to collaborate]? Sure!” he told E! News. “Absolutely, absolutely. I apologize for not being in the know. I’m accessible, give us a call!”
Then, this past August, my heart legit skipped several beats when Timbaland seemingly confirmed that he had produced or was, at least, working on a Britney and Justin duet. Pop University podcast hosts Maddie Lazer and Hannah Rowston attended a taping of Boy Band, the ABC singing competition on which Timbaland, 45, served as an “architect,” and pressed him about a potential “Justney” collab. “Yes, it’s coming. It’s coming,” he reportedly told them. (Still gagging over this, BTW.)
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Timbaland initially sparked collaboration rumors back in April when he liked a s–t-ton of throwback pics of Britney and Justin on Instagram, shortly after he hit the studio with the “Cry Me a River” crooner and fellow producers Danja, Pharrell Williams, and Chad Hugo. Also, around the same time, Justin’s mom, Lynn Harless, gave Britney and a few other Spears family members a follow on Insta, and liked a bunch of “Justney” #TBTs.
The signs are all there, y’all. And I’ll be holding my breath and wearing my best denim-on-denim ensemble until these two are finally back together…in any capacity. Get even more from our girl by checking out her best quotes on love below!
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