How Justin Timberlake used split from Britney Spears to launch his own solo career

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake dated in early 2000s.

Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake were the golden couple of the early noughties. They met on the TV show The Mickey Mouse Club as children, and as their pop careers kicked off, so too did their blossoming romance — and the frenzy around it. But it all came crashing down in 2002, and Justin wasn't very subtle at blaming the end of their romance on Britney.

In fact, with the release of Cry Me A River, assumed to be based on Britney and her alleged cheating, their doomed love story helped Justin become the megastar he is today. His success in music and film is a stark contrast to the worrying turn Britney's life took, with her very public breakdown 12 years ago and the restrictive conservatorship she's lived under ever since. And Justin has seized many opportunities to discuss their relationship and make jibes at Britney's expense.