Justin Timberlake apologizes for his beatboxing era

Justin Timberlake is asking fans for forgiveness over a sound he used to make with his mouth.

Page Six reports that the 45-year-old singer commented on a Sunday Instagram video from creator Hannah Young, who talked about his old beatboxing habit. Timberlake wrote that he often looks back on that era and "still haven't come up with any answers." He added: "I don't know how to apologize enough for whatever those ambitions were. Too many boots. Too many cats. I hope you can forgive me."

Young's video, posted to @uhhuhhannah, focused on his old beatboxing habit. "We don't talk about Justin Timberlake beatboxing enough," she said. She described Timberlake dropping "boots and cats" sounds into the middle of songs, at awards shows and live performances. "Nobody questioned it," Young said. "You couldn't stop him."

"You gave that man a microphone, and there was always a chance he was about to go, 'Boots and cats, boots and cats,'" she added.

Timberlake also suggested it could happen again, writing, "Also, I can't promise I won't do it again. God help us all."

This is not his first time addressing it. During a 2023 "Hot Ones" appearance with his *NSYNC bandmates, Timberlake said, "File that under, you know, slightly regrettable." Lance Bass had a different take: "iconic."

Page Six also reports that in April, Timberlake posted a throwback clip of himself alongside a young Justin Bieber after Bieber shouted him out onstage at Coachella. That same post also included Bieber performing his 2002 song "Cry Me a River."

So if you catch a future Timberlake show and hear beatboxing sounds, consider yourself warned.