Justin Timberlake has pulled out of co-hosting an upcoming Motown 45 TV special with Lionel Richie, blaming his filming commitments. American TV network ABC insists the pop hunk's decision to withdraw is unrelated to protests from a number of African American groups, which felt he let Janet Jackson take the full blame for her flesh-baring stunt at this month's Super Bowl - where he ripped open her bustier to reveal her breast. The decision to use Timberlake for the special - to be filmed in April - was also blasted by groups because the "Rock Your Body" singer has never recorded for the legendary label. The show's executive producer Jeff Margolis says, "When Justin was asked to host the Motown 45th Anniversary special, he gladly accepted, but alerted us to the fact that he was in talks to star in his first motion picture (Edison) with Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman and that at the last minute there could possibly be a scheduling conflict. The movie in fact is scheduled to be shot in Canada at a time which no longer allows Justin to host the Motown 45 special. He has cancelled all television appearances through the end of April to allow him to concentrate on making the movie."...
- 2/25/2004
- WENN
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