Pop sensation Justin Timberlake has issued an apology for his well-known past beatboxing habits, but has candidly admitted he “can’t promise” he won’t do it again. The comments came in response to a viral social media video that highlighted his frequent use of vocal percussion throughout his career.

The Viral Call-Out

The conversation around Timberlake’s beatboxing resurfaced after social media creator Hannah Young, known as @uhhuhhannah, posted an Instagram video on 4th October 2026. Young’s video humorously questioned the public’s acceptance of Timberlake’s vocal antics during his performances and recordings.

“We don’t talk about Justin Timberlake beatboxing enough,” Young stated in her video, imitating the characteristic “Boots and cats, boots and cats” sound. She critiqued the lack of intervention at the time: “Nobody said, ‘Justin, you know, we have drums. This is a professional recording studio. There are instruments available to you.’” Young further noted that despite the availability of instruments, Timberlake preferred to “make space noises with his mouth” during awards shows and live performances, and that audiences “liked it” at the time, as reported by VICE.

Timberlake’s Regret and Warning

Timberlake himself commented directly on Young’s Instagram post, expressing regret over his past actions. He wrote, “I often look back on that time as well. I still haven’t come up with any answers. I don’t know how to apologize enough for whatever those ambitions were. Too many boots. Too many cats. I hope you can forgive me.”

However, the pop star concluded his apology with a surprising caveat, stating, “Also, I can’t promise I won’t do it again. God help us all.” This statement, also highlighted by Stereogum, suggests a playful yet unyielding acknowledgment of his enduring penchant for vocal percussion.

A History of Vocal Percussion

Timberlake’s beatboxing has been a notable, if sometimes divisive, aspect of his musical journey. His habit stretches back to his *NSYNC days, where he would frequently perform vocal showcases, including during the group’s HBO special in 2000. Upon going solo and collaborating with producer Timbaland, his use of mouth noises became even more pronounced.

While some instances of his beatboxing, such as the vocal plips and plops in the pop masterpiece “Cry Me A River,” were integral to the track’s success, his overall fixation has become an “easy punchline” as notions of his “once-considerable cool fade into the distant fog of memory,” according to Stereogum. Timberlake’s recent comments indicate he is well aware of how this era of his career is perceived.