Britney Spears recently shared a photo of a cocktail on Instagram, seemingly in a celebratory mood, just hours after news broke about her ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake’s arrest for drink-driving.
The pop icon posted a picture of a fruity cocktail with the caption, “It’s the simple things you know,” accompanied by two tulip emojis. Shortly after, she uploaded a video of herself in a dress, ready for a night out in Las Vegas, captioning it, “First cocktail dress ever!!! Playing in Vegas today and tonight too.”
Timberlake, who was arrested for driving while intoxicated, became an instant internet meme after comedian Ricky Gervais roasted him. Timberlake reportedly told officers he had only had one martini, but his car was seen swerving in the Hamptons, New York. He was charged with a misdemeanor and banned from driving in New York for a year after refusing a breathalyzer test. His next court date is scheduled for July 26.
There is no love lost between Spears and Timberlake, who dated for three years after rising to fame as Disney child stars. In her 2023 memoir, “The Woman in Me,” Spears revealed she had an abortion while dating Timberlake and accused him of making her look like a “harlot” after their breakup. Timberlake, now married to actress Jessica Biel, faced backlash following the book’s publication.
Earlier this year, Spears appeared to extend an olive branch to Timberlake as he attempted to revive his music career, but she soon retracted it after he seemed to mock her during a live show.
Spears’ fans have rallied around her amid Timberlake’s legal troubles. Following his arrest, fans encouraged others to buy her 2011 song “Criminal” from the album “Femme Fatale.” The song quickly climbed to No. 68 on the iTunes Pop Chart.
Timberlake was arrested on June 18 at around 12:37 a.m. after police determined he was driving under the influence. According to the Sag Harbor Police, Timberlake’s car ran a stop sign and failed to stay in the correct lane. Officers noted his bloodshot eyes, the strong smell of alcohol, and his poor performance on sobriety tests. Timberlake admitted to having one martini and following friends home.
He was processed at the Sag Harbor Police Headquarters and charged with one count of driving while intoxicated, along with citations for running a stop sign and failing to stay in lane. He was held overnight and released on his own recognizance after a court appearance. Timberlake is due back in court on July 26.
This isn’t the first time Spears’ fans have helped her songs resurface on the charts. In January, Timberlake released a single titled “Selfish,” the same name as one of Spears’ 2011 singles. Her fans quickly rallied around her song, bringing it back to the No. 1 spot on the iTunes charts.
The resurgence of “Criminal” and “Selfish” comes after Spears made several revelations about Timberlake in her memoir. The book has reignited interest in her music and her past relationship with Timberlake.
