Turns out 2024 is the year of airing grievances. From Katt Williams, to Kendrick Lamar and now, Janet Jackson fans, it’s time for everyone to get their shit off. The latest famous name to find themselves in the crosshairs is Justin Timberlake.
According to USA Today, around 12:37 a.m. on Tuesday, the singer/actor was arrested in the Hamptons and charged with driving while intoxicated. After being arraigned Tuesday morning, he was released.
A celebrity being arrested for DWI in the Hamptons isn’t exactly breaking news. However, the fact that it’s Timberlake — who has been at the center of negativity for Janet Jackson and Britney Spears — adds an extra level of karma to the situation.
Jackson fans have been waiting for this moment since 2004, when he seemingly got off easy while the “Control” legend took all the blame when he ripped off part of her costume and her breast was shown during the Super Bowl XXXVIII Halftime Show. She was relentlessly criticized and slut shamed, while he received much less backlash and bounced back quickly. Honestly, Jackson’s career has never really been the same since the scandal.
For 20 years, Black folks have blamed him for the damage to her reputation, and now it seems like he’s finally getting his comeuppance. As such, Black Twitter got all their jokes off about Justin’s arrest.
Despite his funny, nice guy persona, one user is not impressed with the “Trolls” star, writing on X, “Justin Timberlake is selfish. When the Janet Jackson incident occurred, we saw how he left her hanging by herself to face the controversy. Also, causing NSYNC to not tour, while he makes money and while the other members didn’t make money. He’s awful…and aging quickly…”
Top marks for wordplay goes to this user, who posted, “Justin Timberlake being plastered all over social media for dui-ing a river really feels like Poetic Justice for what he did to Janet Jackson, I always wondered when he was gonna get his ass dragged.”
Meanwhile, another user posited that in an alternate universe where Justin wasn’t involved in the Super Bowl controversy with Janet Jackson, things would be very different, writing on X, “hypothesis: if justin timberlake didn’t sabotage janet jackson during the 2004 halftime show, usher would’ve defo been the succeeding year’s performer instead of waiting a whole 2 decades before doing so, while the black eyed peas would’ve performed in the 2000s instead of 2011.”
One person, who clearly hasn’t forgiven the “SexyBack” singer, has been ready for this moment for a while, writing on X, “I’ve been waiting for Justin Timberlake’s downfall ever since he let Janet Jackson take the fall for boobygate.”
Someone else noted that Justin’s song, “What Goes Around...Comes Around” is now his real life, posting, “The universe to Justin Timberlake yesterday: Britney Spears & Janet Jackson really won in the end!”
“CBS Mornings” host Gayle King called the “Cry Me a River” singer “a really, really great guy” who made a “mistake,” angering some viewers.
One person took issue with King’s assertion, responding on X, “Driving drunk is the definition of irresponsible, reckless and careless. And a “great guy” would have done better by Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. #JustinTimberlake is not a great guy. He’s not even an alright guy.”
Yes, it’s fun to get all these jokes off. But driving under the influence is not only inexcusable, it’s just stupid. With rideshares, taxis, private cars and calling a friend all at his disposal, there’s no reason for someone with all his resources to engage in this dangerous behavior. He’s putting everyone on the road at risk and deserves all the smoke for his recklessness.