Backstage Beef

Did Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake really fight at the VMAs?

The stage at Tuesday night’s Video Music Awards was alive with iconic performances: Doja Cat previewed her upcoming blood-soaked album Scarlet, Olivia Rodrigo faked out the audience with a malfunctioning set, and Shakira brought down the house to receive her Video Vanguard award

But backstage, trouble was brewing, as a now viral video showed what looked like an argument between Megan Thee Stallion and Justin Timberlake.

Yes, that scenario may sound ripped from a page from Mad Libs, but the two really were backstage together. Megan was there to perform her new single with Cardi B, “Bongos,” and Timberlake was reuniting with his NSYNC bandmates to present the award for Best Pop to Taylor Swift.

MTV’s live feed of the backstage area showed Megan with her team as the members of NSYNC passed by. Timberlake leaned in to say something to Megan, and she replied with a pointed finger and what looked like some pointed words.

Fans were quick to speculate on what their argument could have been about — and were quick to take Megan’s side. Maybe she was getting revenge on Janet Jackson’s behalf for the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” Timberlake caused at the 2004 Superbowl, or to stand up for Timberlake’s ex Britney Spears.

But in actuality, there was no argument at all. An eyewitness to the interaction told Variety that there was “zero fight.”

“He said, ‘It’s so nice to meet you,’ and she said ‘No, no this don’t count, this don’t count. We gotta meet proper,’” the source said. “It was very cute.”

Megan then took to TikTok to clear up the rumors herself. She posted a video of herself and Timberlake hanging out with the caption, “I just talk with my hands lol 💁🏽‍♀️see ya next time @Justin Timberlake.”

@theestallion

I just talk with my hands lol 💁🏽‍♀️see ya next time @Justin Timberlake

♬ Fukai Mori – Do As Infinity

So, there was never any beef to begin with. But for especially enthusiastic hotties, the damage may already be done. Sorry, JT!

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