Britney Spears fans have demanded that her ex Justin Timberlake apologize to the star for his way of coping with their breakup, in light of the documentary Framing Britney Spears.
The exposé explores the dark side of the 39-year-old singer’s fame, from her rise as a childhood star to her slump in 2007 and her father Jamie’s controversial 13-year-old conservatory, which launched the # FreeBritney movement.
However, a large number of viewers have accused Justin, 40, of cooperating in tarnishing Britney’s image after their split in 2002, while veteran journalist Diane Sawyer, 75, was labeled a ‘sl ** – shamer’ for her next interview with the star.
Furious: Britney Spears fans have demanded that her ex Justin Timberlake apologize to the star for handling their breakup, in light of the documentary Framing Britney Spears
During the teenage years of Britney’s Louisiana superstar, she was heavily sexualized after publicly stating that she was a virgin.
Growing up, she got screwed in interviews about her boobs and was asked if she had remained a virgin when her romance with Timberlake hailed her as one half of a pop world power couple.
When the couple finally broke up in 2002, Justin almost accused his ex of cheating on him when he released his hit song Cry Me A River, which featured a video of a Britney lookalike reaping the consequences of infidelity.
And while Britney continued to publicly insist she was still a virgin, Justin suggested otherwise in post-breakup interviews.
Accusation: A large number of viewers have accused 40-year-old Justin of cooperating in tarnishing Britney’s image after their split in 2002. Pictured together in 2001
Positions: Viewers stacked up with their cutting views after the documentary aired in the US on Friday night
In a flash, Britney was widely seen as the one responsible for the split, and even her interviewer Diane Sawyer took an accusing tone and asked her, “What did you do?”
In 2003, Britney sat down for an interview with Diane – who played a clip of Maryland’s First Lady Kendall Erlich and metaphorically said that ‘if I had a chance to shoot Britney Spears, I would,’ a comment for which she later apologized.
Veteran journalist Diane seemed to gently justify the harsh and shocking statement – which was made in response to the star’s wearing ‘revealing’ clothing, which has been cited as a bad influence on children, when she pressed Britney for a comment.
When Britney got over her shock, she managed to refute, “I’m not here to, you know, look after her kids.”
Cut: Viewers called Diane Sawyer, 75, a ‘sl ** – shamer’ for her interview with the star, in which she questioned her about the breakup and her ‘revealing’ clothes. Pictured in 2019
Interrogation line: viewers took offense at the interrogations of the experienced journalist
After Framing Britney Spears’ airing, which aired in the US on Friday night, viewers flocked to Twitter to attack Justin and Diane.
Wrote one: ‘Justin Timberlake laughed and got “revenge” in Cry me a river … Britney had to go on TV with Diane Sawyer and cry in an interview after they broke up … That wouldn’t fly in the present culture. #FreeBritney ‘
Another viewer tweeted: ‘Nasty a * s old folks used to ask teenage Britney if she was a virgin. How big her breasts have grown. And Justin Timberlake publicly announced that he had taken her V card !!! The shit she’s been through. ‘
“I think it’s time @DianeSawyer made a public apology to Britney Spears,” said a third. She treated her disgustedly and never said sorry. Just say it, sister. You were VERY wrong with the way you interviewed her. ‘
Whims: After the 2002 split, Britney was widely portrayed as the villain and even Diane Sawyer took an accusing tone, asking her, “What have you done?”
Emotional: The Louisiana-raised star also looked emotional when she learned that a politician’s wife stated she would ‘shoot’ the star if she could, because of her clothes
Penned another fan of the star: ‘Diane Sawyer was literally trying to defend a woman who said,’ If it wasn’t illegal to shoot Britney, I would ‘to Britney because Britney was wearing’ revealing ‘clothes and moms are concerned worry about their kids because of it? IF WTF ??? ‘
However, some fans jumped to the defense of former NSYNC frontman Justin, explaining that he was also young at the time of his divorce from Britney.
One of them explained their point of view: ‘All this shit from Justin and Britney was way too much for two young people. They were far too young for people to have so much expectations and so much judgment. #FreeBritney (sic) ‘
“Am I the only Britney fan who also loves Justin Timberlake?” asked another. I understand that he should have apologized for the things he said, but sometimes when the two parties involved don’t want to be angry, it doesn’t mean we should put ourselves between their issues. She has moved on. ‘
Iconic relationship: Britney was in crisis when Justin blamed her for the breakup in his single Cry Me A River
Defense: However, some fans jumped to the defense of former NSYNC frontman Justin, explaining that he was also young at the time of his divorce from Britney.
A third wrote: ‘I love @jtimberlake, but in all fairness. He wouldn’t have had anything to write about for his first album if it wasn’t because of the split with @britneyspears and @Pharrell that gave him the most @ michaeljackson demo songs. #JustSayThankYou ‘
At the time Britney and Justin broke up, she was rumored to have cheated on the pop heartthrob with dancer Wade Robson, now 38.
However, it has also been alleged that Justin cheated on Britney several times in the year prior to calling them time for their fateful romance.
In the years following the couple’s breakup, Britney would endure a very public unraveling that culminated in shaving her hair off in early 2007.
Shortly afterwards, she was placed under conservatories, treated by her father Jamie, which she remains under to this day – despite her attempt to fight it.
Shocking: Maryland’s First Lady Kendall Erlich figuratively said ‘if I had the chance to shoot Britney Spears, I would’ because she’s a bad role model