Every April, as the calendar flips to May, Justin Timberlake becomes the unwitting star of countless memes thanks to his unique pronunciation of “me” as “May” in *NSYNC’s 2000 pop hit “It’s Gonna Be Me.” This year, the Grammy-winning artist humorously addressed the annual resurgence of these memes in a social media video, providing a light-hearted take on his iconic vocal twist.
Responding to a TikTok prompt by influencer @umgabi asking about mispronounced words that haunt people, Timberlake quipped with a simple yet effective reply: “Um… ‘Me.'” This playful acknowledgment shows Timberlake’s good-natured acceptance of the meme that transforms him into a herald of spring each year.
Joey Fatone, Timberlake’s bandmate, shared that *NSYNC members enjoy exchanging these memes through group texts, highlighting the ongoing camaraderie among the group. Fatone revealed how the pronunciation was a deliberate choice by producer Max Martin to smooth over the song’s delivery, never anticipating it would spark an annual viral phenomenon.
The meme has not only survived but thrived, becoming a beloved internet tradition. Timberlake’s recent engagement with the joke underscores his willingness to embrace and participate in the cultural impact of his musical legacy, proving that sometimes, a little mispronunciation can lead to lasting fame beyond the charts.
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