Justin Timberlake is being criticized for his tribute to Prince during his Super Bowl halftime performance.
Halfway through his lackluster set on Sunday night, Timberlake performed a rendition of I Would Die 4 U on a grand piano while Prince’s image was cast on a giant sheet inside the stadium.
Prince fans were quick to point out however that Timberlake had previously dissed the singer in the 2007 song ‘Give It To Me’ and mocked his height at the Golden Globe Awards earlier that same year.
A number of those fans also noted that Prince hated holograms, even though his image was a projection.
Die 4 you: Justin Timberlake paid tribute to Prince on Sunday while playing the Super Bowl halftime show in his hometown if Minneapolis (above)
Not having it: A number of Prince fans, including comedian Sinbad (above), quickly criticized the actor and pointed out his past slights of the singer
One of the first people to go after Timberlake was actor and comedian Sinbad.
‘Okay punka** Justin Timberlake. You was cool till you pulled that Prince bulls***,’ wrote Sinbad.
‘You dissed Prince on a track of yours and you dissed him onstage when you lowered the mic stand onstage when prince won an award. Later for ya a**.’
Sinbad was referring to an incident at the 2007 Golden Globe Awards when Timberlake accepted the honor for Best Original Song on Prince’s behalf, who was reportedly stuck in traffic at the time and unable to make it to the show.
Prince had won the award for his song ‘The Song of the Heart’ from Happy Feet, and Timberlake responded by crouching down and speaking into the microphone in a clear jab at the singer’s height.
Later that same year he mocked Prince on the track ‘Give it to Me.’
And, to add insult to injury, other fans said that they were angry Timberlake had served alcohol at a party for his new album’s release that was held at Pasley Park since Prince was a Jehovah’s Witness and did not drink.
Timberlake later addressed his tribute to Prince while appearing on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
‘It’s a moment for me, and if I’m being quite honest, it’s because he’s always been the pinnacle of musicianship,’ said Timberlake.
‘And when we decided that the serendipity and synergy [of being] in Minnesota — he’s such a special thing here aside from what he is all over the world. I just felt like I wanted to do something for this city and something for him that would just be the ultimate homage to what I consider the GOAT of musicians.’
He also said that he had received the blessing of Questlove, a friend of Prince.
Fourteen years since he caused a national controversy by exposing Janet Jackson’s breast live on air, Timberlake played it safer with a decidedly family friendly performance.
The headline-grabber came during a tribute to the late Prince, with Timberlake singing a duet of I Would Die 4 U alongside a projection of the iconic pop legend.
The tribute ended with a projection of Prince’s infamous shadow from the 2007 Super Bowl, before an aerial shot showed his hometown Minneapolis turning purple in his honor.
But Prince fans turned on Timberlake, saying the late great wouldn’t have approved of the use of his image and that the two singers did not get on.
The polished singer performed an energetic medley, expertly combining his most famous hits with newer tracks. But while a slick professional Timblerlake got the crowd on their feet, the standard concert-style show left fans at home underwhelmed, lacking the gasp-inducing spectacle of recent years.
Sound problems also plagued the live show, with Timberlake’s audio at times less prominent than his backing singers, even appearing to cut out for brief periods.
As the half time show drew to a close, viewers took to Twitter to brandish their opinions, and many were unhappy with the *NSYNC singer copping a lot of criticism.
Film producer Adam Best wrote: ‘The Prince tribute would’ve been cool… except Prince specifically said he didn’t want that, right?
‘Even in death, Prince continues to be misunderstood.’
Director Victoria Mahoney echoed Best’s message, saying: ‘If you ever shared two words with Prince. Or heard him speak. Or watch him play. You would understand in the base of your bones – them deciding to use his hologram at the Super Bowl – would’ve busted his heart to pieces.’
The Undefeated columnist Jamele Hill delivered the damning verdict of: ‘Problem is, a lot of people down with Prince know he wouldn’t approve.’
Fans hoping for a cameo from Jackson herself, or even an *NSync reunion, were left disappointed.
Those taking to social media to express their regret on social media included Demi Lovato, who wrote: ‘But….. *NSYNC…..’ along with a crying face.
Following on seamlessly from a Pepsi ad, the show started with Timberlake under the arena, dancing in a small contained space, before he emerged out of the tunnel and onto the field. By contrast Lady Gaga’s jaw-dropping start to last year’s show saw her begin her performance on the roof, abseiling down into the arena.
For his show, Timberlake kicked off with Filthy from his most recent album, then transitioned into a medley of Rock Your Body (the song he dueted on with Jackson back in 2004) and SexyBack.
Other tracks included Suit & Tie, which he performed on a raised white platform backed by a tuxedo-clad marching band.
Taking things down a notch he then took a seat at a white grand piano to perform Until the End of Time, before launching into a cover of Prince’s I Would Die 4 U.
The show concluded with Timberlake’s mega-hit Can’t Stop the Feeling, from the soundtrack to the children’s movie Trolls.
But while fans at home amused themselves by tweeting witticisms such as ‘This needed more nipple’, the NFL are unlikely to be concerned by the lack of theatrics.
Back in 2004 Timberlake was Jackson’s special guest when he infamously ripped off a piece of her clothing, revealing her nipple, beneath a star shaped sticker. Timberlake later described it as an unintended ‘wardrobe malfunction.’
CBS, which aired that Super Bowl, was fined $550,000 by the Federal Communications Commission, but the fine was later overturned.