Justin Timberlake Steps Out with *NSYNC at ‘Trolls Band Together’ Premiere Following Britney Spears’ Memoir Release

The animated film, featuring the original *NSYNC song “Better Place,” arrives in theaters on Friday

Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake and Joey Fatone. PHOTO: GILBERT FLORES/VARIETY VIA GETTY

Justin Timberlake is banding together with *NSYNC to celebrate the release of their new movie and hit single.

The singer/actor, 42, and his bandmates Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick stepped out on Wednesday at the U.S. premiere of Trolls Band Together in Los Angeles.

The “Bye Bye Bye” group walked the red carpet together at the TCL Chinese Theatre in honor of their new song “Better Place” off the film’s soundtrack and roles in the voice cast. The event marks the first time *NSYNC has been able to promote their participation in the new animated film (out in theaters on Friday), now that SAG-AFTRA has reached a tentative agreement and union members are no longer striking.

Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake and Joey Fatone.GILBERT FLORES/VARIETY VIA GETTY

Timberlake, who stars as Branch in the Trolls franchise, wore an all-black look. He appeared to be all smiles at the outing, posing for photos with his bandmates, as well as his costars Anna Kendrick, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Eric André, Ron Funches, Camila Cabello and Zooey Deschanel. Timberlake also posed for pictures with his wife, Jessica Biel.

The premiere is one of the few times the Grammy winner has stepped out since the release of Britney Spears’ bombshell memoir The Woman in Me, in which she writes of their relationship that lasted from 1999 to 2002.

He was spotted for the first time days after the book’s release on Oct. 24 in photos obtained by The Daily Mail that captured him and his family, including Biel, as they arrived in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, for a vacation.

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake.LEON BENNETT/GETTY

The hitmaker was photographed the following week at a PGA Tour event at the Diamante resort’s El Cardonal Golf Course in Cabo. He appeared to be enjoying himself as he took part in a celebrity four-hole scramble for the PGA Tour’s World Wide Technology Championship.

At the event, the “SexyBack” singer was seen swinging his golf club on the putting green, sharing a laugh with PGA Tour player Keith Mitchell and smiling in group shots with the other celebrity guests, including actor Michael Peña and former NFL star Reggie Bush.

He also stepped out at a charity event for his friend and collaborator Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter clothing auction with Kenzo artistic director Nigo.

Despite his recent low-profile, Timberlake has been in the spotlight in recent weeks for his alleged past behavior that Spears, 41, writes of in her memoir. The pop superstar writes that she was once pregnant by the musician and claims that he cheated on her, among other anecdotes. (The “Hold Me Closer” singer also admits to her own infidelity.)

Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez, Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass and Joey Fatone of *NSYNC at the 2023 MTV VMAs.JOHN SHEARER/GETTY

Although *NSYNC had previously been unable to participate in press for Trolls Band Together, Bass, 44, has opened up about his support for his co-star and bandmate.

The pop singer addressed the scrutiny the “Mirrors” singer has received in recent weeks in a brief video interview with TMZ. “Look, I mean everyone has their own opinion,” he said. “I just feel like the world is so full of hate right now that we need to practice a little forgiveness.”

“Britney did. So, let’s take a note from her,” Bass continued, referring to a statement the pop star made on social media about how she’s “moved on” from the events in her memoir.

In a November interview, Bass told PEOPLE that *NSYNC is “all good,” and added that, “People will survive,” when asked how Timberlake was doing amid the release of The Woman in Me.

The performer also recalled what a positive experience the group’s reunion has been, ever since it kicked off with an appearance at the MTV VMAs in September and they released “Better Place” shortly after.

“It was unexpected to be doing a song this year, [but] it’s been incredible,” he added. “Justin is the executive producer of the soundtrack of the movie, and it just made sense for us to get involved this year because of what the story is about. So he found this amazing song and we immediately fell in love with it.”