Britney Spears Recalls Justin Timberlake 'Flirting' At 2007 VMAs

Pop star Britney Spears is sharing even more details about her ex-boyfriend, Justin Timberlake, in her new memoir, “The Woman In Me.”

Although the relationship was full of allegations of infidelity and an unplanned pregnancy, the tell-all book discusses many different aspects of their relationship over the years, including the time that they ran into each other at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards years after they had already gone their separate ways.

In the latest reveal from her bombshell memoir, "The Woman In Me," a source told Us Weekly that Britney talks about her "comeback" performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards in her tell-all book. She ran into Justin Timberlake shortly before taking the stage, years after the two called it quits on their three-year relationship in 2002.

Britney talks about how she bumped into him backstage at The Palms in Las Vegas and noted that it had "been a while" since the two had last seen each other. Although the "Toxic" singer was struggling with her career and public image months before her 13-year conservatorship officially began, Britney noted in her book that the "Cry Me A River" singer was "at the top of his game in every way." In 2006, he released his album FutureSex/LoveSounds, which included his hit single “SexyBack.”

Justin also performed that year, taking to the stage to perform “Give It to Me” with frequent collaborators Nelly Furtado and Timbaland. In her memoir, Britney recalls how he had a lot of "swagger" while he was performing, although she was incredibly nervous. She noted that he looked "so light" on the stage and was even "flirting with girls in the audience" during his performance.

Britney, meanwhile, had opened the ceremony with a performance of "Gimme More," which was the first single from her fifth album, Blackout. Britney described the performance as "far" from her best but was also surprised by how much negative backlash the performance received, not only that night but in the days after the performance.

Even after her performance had ended, comedian Sarah Silverman delivered a monology that cracked several jokes at Britney's expense, even going so far as to call her two young sons "the most adorable mistakes you will ever see." Sarah also went on to say that Britney had “already accomplished everything she’s ever going to accomplish in her life” at age 25. Over a decade later, in the 2021 New York Times Presents Framing Britney Spears documentary, Sarah addressed the backlash to her comments.

“I was known then 4 roasts. MTV asked me to mini-roast Britney after her big performance,” Silverman tweeted in February 2021 per the outlet. She went on to say that she never actually did see Britney perform that night, as she had been backstage. “Had no idea she didn’t kill. Unfortunate. Art changes over [years] as we know more & the world changes.” Although she did not directly apologize for her comments, she did say, "I wish I could delete it but I can't."

Justin has not responded to the claims in Britney's book, but a source did tell the outlet that he is hoping to move on from the drama. “Justin will always be supportive of Britney and all of her endeavors, but he’s trying to distance himself from her upcoming book,” the source explained. “It’s not something he’s focusing too much on in terms of anything she might discuss when it comes to their former relationship.”

On Friday afternoon, Britney took to X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram, to say that she never meant to "offend" anyone with her upcoming memoir. She began, "My book's purpose was not to offend anyone by any means !!! That was me then ...that is in the past !!! I don't like the headlines I am reading ...that's exactly why I quit the business 4 years ago !!! Most of the book is from 20 years ago ... I have moved on and it's a beautiful clean slate from here !!! 1 am here to establish it that way for the rest of my entire life !!!"

She continued, "Either way, that is the last of it and s--- happens !! This is actually a book didn't know needed to be written ... although some might be offended, it has given me closure on all things for a better future !!! Hopefully I can enlighten people who feel particularly alone in most cases or hurt or misunderstood !!! Again, my motive for this book was not to harp on my past experiences which is what the press is doing and it's dumb and silly !!! I have moved on since then !! #TheWomaninMe."

Britney Spears' memoir "The Woman In Me" is scheduled for release on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.