Why Jessica Biel “Feels Bad” for Britney Spears After the Release of the Singer’s Explosive Memoir

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Britney Spears recalled several eyebrow-raising stories about ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake in her tell-all memoir, The Woman in Me, including (but not limited to) Timberlake playing the guitar at Spears as she underwent an excruciating abortion, serially cheating on her throughout their relationship, gifting her a framed breakup letter, and having a troubling tendency to speak in African-American Vernacular English.

Now, sources for Us Weekly say Biel is coming to her husband's defense.

“Jessica feels bad for Britney,” an insider told the outlet, adding that the Candy star knew about Spears's abortion prior to the memoir's release on October 24.

Whatever sympathy Biel holds for Spears, another source said Biel still wants to protect her husband from the negative media frenzy surrounding him as a result of the book's explosive claims. “It’s hard for her to watch Justin be trolled on social media and targeted by Britney fans,” the insider said. “She thinks Justin’s learned from his mistakes and deserves to live in peace.”

Spears and Timberlake dated from 1999 to 2000. Timberlake went on to marry Biel in 2012, while Spears married Kevin Federline in 2004 before divorcing in 2007.

As for the former NSYNC member, Timberlake is surprised by the book's revelations.

“Justin thought Britney might talk about their ups and downs in more general terms — not air out their very personal, dirty laundry,” a source explained to Us. “He’s disappointed she went this route decades after they split up.... They’ve been out of each other’s lives for such a long time. Justin finds it odd that Britney still talks about him so much.”

A second insider gave a different perspective on Timberlake's thoughts. “Justin regrets that he hurt Britney. He was young,” the insider said. “He thinks Britney has every right to tell her story and hopes they can move on now.” They add that he has been considering reaching out to Spears “to see if she’d like to talk things out. He wants to ask if there’s anything he can do.”

Yet another source told Us that Timberlake is looking forward to moving past the negative attention. “Justin is happy at home with Jess and his kids and focusing on new music and is in such a great place,” they said.

The first insider corroborated this sentiment, concluding, “Justin isn’t going to lie low or avoid doing press because of Britney’s claims. He wants to get past the drama and focus on his work and his family. He has a lot to look forward to.”

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