Justin Timberlake made a big return to “Saturday Night Live,” wowing audiences with his performances of “Selfish,” his latest single. But despite the positive reception, his ex, Britney Spears, seems to be winning the chart battle with her own song of the same name from 2011.
Taking the stage at Studio 8H for the first time in ten years, Timberlake treated fans to “Selfish” and “Sanctified,” tracks from his upcoming album, “Everything I Thought It Was.” His longtime friend, Jimmy Fallon, introduced him, adding to the excitement of the night.
Interestingly, shortly after Timberlake’s release, Spears’ fans rallied behind her track, pushing it to the top spot on iTunes. While both songs have dipped in the rankings since then, Spears, who is 42, continues to outperform Timberlake on the charts.
The rivalry between the two goes back years, fueled by Timberlake’s 2002 hit “Cry Me a River,” where he implied infidelity on Spears’ part, even featuring a Spears look-alike in the music video. Spears’ memoir, released last year, added fuel to the fire with revelations about their relationship, including Spears’ claim of undergoing an abortion because Timberlake wasn’t ready for fatherhood.
Spears also alleged that Timberlake adopted a “blaccent” when meeting R&B singer Ginuwine, sparking controversy. When Timberlake performed “Sanctified” on “SNL” with rapper Tobe Nwigwe and a black church congregation, social media users were quick to criticize what they saw as cultural appropriation.
Despite the lingering controversies, Timberlake’s new album, his first since 2018’s “Man of the Woods,” signals a significant comeback. With plans for an ambitious era ahead, including a concert tour, the Grammy winner is poised for a strong return to the spotlight.
