Justin Timberlake Grabs Kylie Minogue's Butt in Old Clip, Fans Incensed

Kylie Minogue fans have slammed Justin Timberlake for groping her during a live performance in 2003.

A resurfaced video shows the pop idols performing at the 2003 BRIT awards in London during the now infamous routine.

Minogue was enjoying a resurgence in her popularity after releasing the album Fever, which included the hit tracks, "Can't Get You Out of My Head" and "Love At First Sight."

She has since gone on to become the highest-selling Australian female artist of all time, having sold 80 million albums worldwide.

In contrast, at the time of the incident, Timberlake had only a few months earlier released his first solo album Justified after rising to fame in boy band, N*Sync.

The pair were chosen to perform together as part of a long running BRIT awards tradition that sees two big stars take to the stage to perform one of their hits, mashed up with a cover of another song.

Minogue and Timberlake covered Blondie's "Rapture," but it was his antics during the song that made headlines.

During a solo where Minogue deftly recreated Deborah Harry's original rap, Timberlake can be seen dancing behind her and then grabbing her right buttock.

According to media reports, Timberlake had asked her ahead of time if he could grab her butt and Minogue had said no.

Instagram user VelvetCoke reshared the controversial moment, leaving many fans shocked at Timberlake's behavior.

"He would get canceled real quick if he did that now," commented one person.

Another added: "God she's actually such a pro for staying in performance and not slapping him. Love Kylie."

Timberlake himself admitted to groping Kylie just minutes after leaving the stage, telling media: "I was representing America in the fullest."

"I didn't just touch it—I copped a feel. On a scale of one to 10, it was like a 58," he said at the time.

"I've heard that people in Britain are obsessed with Kylie's bum—and I can totally see why. I'm pretty obsessed with it now, too."

Only a few days later the pair were reunited in New York City where they presented at the 2003 Grammy Awards on February 23.

Timberlake put the Australian pop star on the spot when they presented the award for Best Pop Vocal album.

"Can I grab your a** again?" he said in front of the crowd at Madison Square Garden and to a TV audience of 24.9 million viewers.

Kylie played along and squealed "no" in response.

The "Like I Love You" singer was called out for not including Minogue in his 2018 apology to ex-girlfriend Britney Spears and Janet Jackson.

He took to social media to say sorry for the role he played in the demonization of Spears, whom he dated from 1999 to 2002, and who was later placed in a controlling conservatorship over concerns for her mental health.

Timberlake also apologized to Jackson, who was banned from attending the Grammys after her nipple was exposed when Timberlake pulled at her top during their 2004 Super Bowl halftime performance.

"I am deeply sorry for the times in my life where my actions contributed to the problem, where I spoke out of turn, or did not speak up for what was right. I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism," Timberlake wrote in a message shared on Instagram.

"I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed," he said.

He wrote the apology in response to the backlash that befell him after the Hulu documentary, Framing Britney Spears, cast him in a bad light, including publicly bragging about their sex life and suggesting Spears had cheated on him.

Timberlake said he felt "compelled" to speak out after the barrage of angry tweets and messages about him because "everyone involved deserves better and most importantly, because this is a larger conversation that I wholeheartedly want to be part of and grown from."

"The industry is flawed. It sets men, especially white men, up for success. It's designed this way. As a man in a privileged position I have to be vocal about this," he said. "Because of my ignorance, I didn't recognize it for all that it was while it was happening in my own life but I do not want to ever benefit from others being pulled down again.

"I have not been perfect in navigating all of this throughout my career. I know this apology is a first step and doesn't absolve the past," he added. "I want to take accountability for my own missteps in all of this as well as be a part of a world that uplifts and supports."

Timberlake concluded: "I care deeply about the wellbeing of the people I love and have loved. I can do better and I will do better."

But many music fans were unhappy the apology did not include Minogue.

"Now can Justin Timberlake open his notes app to apologize to Kylie Minogue too," wrote one Twitter user in 2021.

Another added: "Justin Timberlake should apologize to Kylie Minogue for sexually assaulting her as well."

Timberlake was invited to perform at the BRITS again 15 years after the incident.

"We are honored to have an artist of Justin's stature and relevance performing at this year's BRIT Awards," said BRITs Chairman and CEO and Chairman of Sony Music U.K. and Ireland, Jason Iley.

"The BRITs has an enviable history of being one of the most important platforms for incredible stand out TV moments from the biggest global artists and I have no doubt that Justin's performance will be one to remember."