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Justin Timberlake is facing major backlash after fans slammed his recent show in Romania as “embarrassing”, prompting many to demand a refund.
The SexyBack singer headlined the Electric Castle Festival in Romania, marking his first-ever performance in the country, but the night didn’t go to plan. What was meant to be a triumphant return to European stages turned into a viral disaster, with concert-goers accusing Timberlake of barely singing, arriving late, and showing little interest in the performance.
Timberlake, who embarked on his Forget Tomorrow World Tour last year, his first in five years, recently announced JT Live 2025, extending his touring schedule through next summer. However, after this recent stop in Romania, fans are questioning whether it's worth the price of admission.
Social media lit up following the set, especially fan-filmed footage showing the singer performing snippets of his hit songs, and in some cases, barely performing at all. A viral video of Timberlake singing Cry Me A River drew particular criticism, with users dubbing it “karaoke” and “lifeless”.
“Looks like a rehearsal, not a real show. Where is his energy?” wrote one disappointed fan on TikTok.
“Bro doesn’t want to be there... like at all,” added another.
Others pointed out that Timberlake arrived over 30 minutes late, and spent the majority of the set with his face covered by sunglasses, a cap, and a hood, likely due to the rainy weather. But fans were not sympathetic, with many expressing frustration over his apparent lack of enthusiasm.
“I want a refund and I wasn’t even there,” joked one user, summing up the general mood online.
Credit: Adicindrea/ticTok
For many in attendance, this show was their first and possibly only chance to see Timberlake live, making the disappointment all the more bitter. Some fans pointed out that the 43-year-old pop icon sang less than a quarter of each track, opting instead for shortened versions or letting backing tracks do the work.
There’s no official statement from Timberlake or his team regarding the backlash, but the online storm has already done damage. The Romanian concert is now being widely referred to as one of the most underwhelming performances of the year, a tough pill to swallow for a performer who was once considered one of the greatest entertainers of his generation.
Timberlake still has a string of tour dates lined up for 2025, including major arenas in North America and Europe. Whether the star will adjust his performances or respond to criticism remains to be seen, but fans will no doubt be watching closely.
