Britney Spears enthusiasts are making waves in the music scene by revisiting a 13-year-old gem from her Femme Fatale album. The track, titled “Selfish,” was initially released as a bonus on the deluxe edition of her 2011 record and has recently climbed the iTunes Charts Top 40 in the United States. This resurgence in popularity is a direct response to Britney’s ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, dropping the lead single “Selfish” from his upcoming album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” on January 25.
Coordinated by the fan account @britneyxytube, Britney’s dedicated fans have been actively streaming and purchasing the 2011 track to counterbalance Justin’s latest release. This collective effort has propelled “Selfish” back into the limelight, securing its place on the iTunes Charts. Some fans even engaged in playful creativity, crafting fake album artwork and pretending Britney was dropping her song on the same day as Justin’s single.
Justin Timberlake’s “Selfish” serves as the inaugural track from his forthcoming album set to be released on March 14. Additionally, the pop star has announced an arena tour to promote the record, scheduled to take place between April and July 2024. This album marks Justin’s return to the music scene since his 2018 release, “Man of the Woods.”
The connection between Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake dates back to their romantic involvement from 1999 to 2002. Despite the breakup occurring over two decades ago, revelations from Britney’s 2023 memoir, “The Woman In Me,” stirred up significant controversy. The book delves into various aspects of their past romance, including Britney’s claim of having had an abortion after becoming pregnant with Justin’s child and the alleged infidelity on both sides.
Following the memoir’s release, Justin Timberlake disabled comments on his Instagram account due to an influx of messages from Britney’s fans. While he did not directly address the book’s content, sources reported his dissatisfaction with the personal details disclosed. Justin’s reaction was evident during a surprise performance in Las Vegas, where he subtly referred to the memoir before singing his song “Cry Me a River.” Despite the controversies, Justin expressed his perspective, stating, “Ain’t we all just entertainers? I feel stupid and contagious. Yeah, we all just entertainers,” from his Jay-Z collaboration “Holy Grail.”
