Justin Timberlake has addressed long-standing rumors regarding his 2006 hit single 'What Goes Around... Comes Around.' In a recent interview on Complex's 'Re-Rank' podcast, Timberlake clarified that the song was inspired by a friend's personal experience with infidelity, not his own relationship with Britney Spears. He explained that after his friend shared his story, Timberlake sought permission to write about it, leading to the creation of the song in approximately 20 minutes. This revelation dispels the speculation that the track was a response to his breakup with Spears in 2002. Timberlake and Spears dated from 1999 to 2002, and their relationship has been a subject of public interest over the years. The song, released in 2006, became the third single from Timberlake's album 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' and achieved significant commercial success. Fans had previously speculated that the track was a follow-up to his 2003 hit 'Cry Me a River,' which was also believed to be about Spears. However, Timberlake has not publicly confirmed the inspiration behind 'Cry Me a River.' This recent clarification provides insight into the creative process behind 'What Goes Around... Comes Around' and addresses the persistent rumors surrounding its inspiration.
