Justin Timberlake Says Hit Song Wasn’t About Britney Spears

WHO:

Rolling Stone Music - Justin Timberlake discussed his song “What Goes Around… Comes Around.”

US Magazine - Justin Timberlake, identified as 45, addressed speculation about the song’s subject.

NY Post - Justin Timberlake, a former *NSYNC singer, and Britney Spears dated from 1999 to 2002.

WHAT:

Rolling Stone Music - Timberlake said, “Maybe I should dispel a rumor at this point, which has gone around forever, which is like, it’s not a personal story from mine,” referring to “What Goes Around… Comes Around.”

US Magazine - Timberlake addressed speculation that his 2006 hit “What Goes Around… Comes Around” was written about his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears.

US Magazine - Timberlake said, “Maybe I should dispel a rumor at this point,” during an interview with Complex’s Re-Rank.

NY Post - The article described Timberlake as revealing whether “What Goes Around… Comes Around” was about Spears.

WHEN:

US Magazine - The song was a 2006 hit.

US Magazine - Timberlake made the quoted remark during a Thursday, November 5, interview with Complex’s Re-Rank.

(UPDATED November 8, 2026 15:58 UTC)

Justin Timberlake says his hit “What Goes Around… Comes Around” wasn’t a personal story. He addressed speculation that the 2006 song was about his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears. Timberlake said he wanted to dispel a longstanding rumor during a Complex interview.