Closer (UK)

Britney and Justin’s secret reunion after fan backlash

Almost two decades on from their split, insiders say the former sweetheart­s have reconnecte­d after Justin Timberlake apologised to ex Britney Spears for his bad behaviour

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❛ THEY HAD A LONG PHONE CALL WHERE HE EXPLAINED HIS BEHAVIOUR WAS SOMETHING HE’S LONG REGRETTED ❜

They broke up almost 20 years ago – so fans were initially confused last week when Britney Spears posted a throwback picture of her with ex Justin Timblerlak­e in a birthday tribute to her younger sister, Jamie Lynn.

The snap showed the former sweetheart­s looking happy as they sat alongside a young Jamie Lynn, now 30. Troubled Britney, 39, ended her lengthy message to her sibling with, “I wish I was as strong as you.”

But the post, shared with her 29 million followers, sparked speculatio­n that she was using the photo to send a message to Justin, 40 – whom she dated from 1998 until their split in 2002.

Fans jumped on the idea that the star would have had plenty of photos of herself with her sister and wondered why she chose one featuring her ex. One wrote, “You can clearly see she has no hard feelings”, and another added, “She seems to be communicat­ing a secret message to him.”

But insiders tell Closer the pair had, in fact, already reconnecte­d in a long heart-to-heart phone call recently – after Justin came under attack from Britney’s fans in February following the release of the documentar­y Framing Britney Spears, which highlighte­d his “treatment” of her and featured an old interview where he’d made light of having sex with her.

MAKING AMENDS

A source says, “Justin wanted to speak to Britney after the documentar­y release and was thrilled when her management team – who knew how touched Brit would be by his gesture – agreed to put them in touch.

“They had a long emotional phone call where he explained his behaviour was something he’s long regretted and told Brit he wanted to personally apologise and make amends, which she really appreciate­d.

“She told him she forgave him and said how great it would be to see him after all these years and to meet [his wife] Jessica [Biel] and their sons, which Justin agreed he’d love to do.”

Britney and Justin began dating when they were 18 and 19 respective­ly, and became an

iconic pop power couple. Their matching head-to-toe denim outfits at the 2000 American Music Awards became a defining red-carpet moment.

Weeks after their breakup in 2002, Justin appeared to confirm rumours that

Britney had cheated on him in his hit song Cry Me A River, with the video featuring a Britney lookalike reaping the consequenc­es of infidelity.

Following their split, the former N-Sync star confessed, “The break-up was absolutely heartbreak­ing for me” while Britney admitted, “I’m still hurting but I am trying to see it as an experience.”

Although Justin is married to actress Jessica, 39, while Britney is dating boyfriend of four years Sam Asghari, 27, their past romance has been in the spotlight since the controvers­ial documentar­y about her life aired earlier this year.

“Disgusted” fans called for Justin to apologise to his ex, amid accusation­s he tarnished her girl-next-door image with his “lewd” and causal remarks about taking her virginity.

The dad-of-two – who shares sons Silas, six, and Phineas, five months, with Jessica – posted a public apology on his Instagram, stating, “I am deeply sorry for the times in my life where my actions contribute­d to the problem, where I spoke out of turn, or did not speak up for what was right.”

STUPID MISTAKES

He also apologised to singer

Janet Jackson for exposing her breast during their infamous 2004 SuperBowl performanc­e. While Justin had called it a “wardrobe malfunctio­n”, his stylist Wayne Scot Lukas recently claimed Justin had “set it up”.

Justin added, “I want to apologise to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson because

I care for and respect these women and I know I failed.”

Commenting underneath Justin’s Instagram apology to Britney, Jessica wrote, “I love you” followed by a heart emoji, in clear support of her husband’s remorse.

At the time, US sources insisted Britney “doesn’t hold a grudge” against Justin, with one saying, “She feels that they were young and in love and both did stupid things when they were together. She was heartbroke­n when they separated, but it’s not something she dwells on. She’s happy and happy for him.”

Seemingly proving this, Britney recently shared a video on Instagram of herself dancing to Justin’s song Filthy, tagging him in the post and writing, “PS I know we had one of the world’s biggest breakups 20 years ago… but hey the man is a genius!!!! ‘Great song JT!!!!! Psssss if you KNOW WHAT’S GOOD!!!!!”

Justin responded with a laughing face emoji and high fives. And the source tells Closer that both their partners approve of the exes being back in touch.

“Jessica was behind Justin reaching out to Britney,” says the source. “She initiated the phone call and welcomed the idea of a meet-up so he can apologise face-to-face.

“Sam also knows how making amends with Justin has improved Brit’s mental state and hopes a meet-up will further boost her spirits – especially given the stress surroundin­g her upcoming court case.”

The troubled star’s fight to regain her independen­ce has reached fever pitch over the last year amid continued court pleas to lift her conservato­rship – which has seen much of her life under the control of her father Jamie since her very public breakdown in 2007 – and an ongoing battle to have him removed from this role.

OPRAH CHAT

Her lawyers are due back in court on 27 April to ask a judge to replace Jamie with her care manager, Jodi Montgomery – who temporaril­y stepped in when her father fell ill in 2019.

Insiders recently told Closer how Britney is longing for the order – which allegedly prevents her from marrying or having a baby – to be lifted, so she can start a family with personal trainer Sam.

They also revealed that she’s considerin­g doing a tell-all with Oprah Winfrey once she regains control of her life. And pals say she thinks a collaborat­ion with Justin would be the perfect way to launch her music comeback.

The source adds, “Britney would love to record with Justin and get out on stage together – the very thing that first sparked their friendship and bonded them all those years ago.”

By Daisy McLure

 ??  ?? Britney and Justin
split in 2002
Britney and Justin split in 2002
 ??  ?? Fans speculated that this photo was a secret message from Britney to Justin
Fans speculated that this photo was a secret message from Britney to Justin
 ??  ?? Britney dances to
Justin’s music
Britney dances to Justin’s music
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Britney with boyfriend Sam
Britney with boyfriend Sam
 ??  ?? Wife Jessica Biel encouraged Justin to speak to Britney
Wife Jessica Biel encouraged Justin to speak to Britney

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