278: Courting Public Favor: Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake

Transcript for Episode 278: Courting Public Favor: Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake

Opening Tease:

Did you really think I’d stay away for long? PR crises have been piling up in my absence, but don’t worry—I’m back to break them down one headline at a time. Let’s get to work because crisis waits for no one. Welcome to the first episode of the newly formatted podcast.

Opening Line:

For those of you who have been with me since the beginning, thank you for sticking around. For the new people, welcome. In this relaunch, I'm shaking things up a bit. I noticed that my audience, particularly on TikTok, loves the quick, insightful breakdowns of the PR moves, strategies, and crises that dominate the weekly conversation. So, I've decided to bring that same energy here to this podcast.

Each week, I’ll be focusing on one story that has everyone talking. I’ll go behind the headlines to uncover the real motives and strategies at play. Whether it’s a savvy PR move or a complete blunder, think of this podcast as an extension of what you see on TikTok, but with the added depth and detail that only a podcast format can offer.

If you’re craving even deeper dives, you can join me on Patreon, where I go further into these stories, exploring the nuances and behind-the-scenes details that don’t always make it to the public eye. I do those in posts and lives.

Own Your Mess, Control the Chaos:

Now, if you’re new to my work, my approach is simple: Own your mess, and you will control the chaos. Whether it’s a genuine move or a PR stunt, I use my expertise as a crisis communication strategist to reveal what’s really happening and why it matters.

I’m not a creator of gossip. I prefer to see my work as strategic analysis, deconstructing the stories everyone’s talking about. Some might label what I do as "blind gossip." If you're not familiar, that refers to sharing rumors or insider information without revealing sources. But my approach is entirely different.

There are a lot of blind gossip creators I admire, but I focus on spotting the tactics and theorizing about the underlying strategies at play. My goal is to teach you these insights, and to hone my work as a communication strategist.

The subtext of all my work is that every lesson I share can be applied in real life, offering wisdom I’ve gained through experience, whether professional or personal.

Personal Story & Weekend Thoughts:

For instance, this past Labor Day weekend, I went to TikTok to share some thoughts. I wasn’t planning to; this was supposed to be a restful weekend. But while enjoying a beach day and a fabulous dinner party, I saw someone tag me in a post about Jessica Biel’s rare appearance at the US Open with her son, Silas. I thought, here we go.

What caught my attention wasn’t just the rarity of this outing, but the timing. Why now? Why with her son?

Jessica Biel has talked about the struggle of balancing her family life with her professional life. She once said, “I often put myself at the bottom of the totem pole of my family.” She’s mentioned that she’s still working on finding balance for herself. Typically, Biel and her husband, Justin Timberlake, have opted to keep their children out of the limelight. On social media, we usually only see the back of their heads.

But suddenly, here she is with their son in a highly publicized event. Why? That’s where my theory comes in.

Justin Timberlake’s Legal Trouble:

Justin Timberlake has had a rough few months. On June 18, 2024, he was arrested for DWI in Sag Harbor, New York, after failing to stop at a stop sign. There was speculation about who he was with—rumors swirled that it might have been Jimmy Fallon, Jay Z, or Beyoncé.

The arrest report stated that Timberlake showed signs of intoxication, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and poor performance on sobriety tests. He refused a breathalyzer test and was held overnight.

He’s due back in court soon, and we may learn more about who was with him that night. This brings me to my TikTok theory: Jessica Biel’s appearance with Silas at the US Open was part of a greater preemptive damage control strategy—misdirection.

The Play: Misdirection and PR Damage Control

Think of it like a magician’s trick. When a celebrity is facing negative press, they might carefully time a positive news story or a public appearance to draw attention away from the controversy. By appearing at the US Open with her son, Biel was helping shift the focus from Timberlake’s arrest to a more family-friendly narrative.

It’s all about controlling the narrative, through timing and misdirection. The timing of this appearance is no coincidence.

Did It Work?

Did this tactic work? That’s for the public to decide. The effectiveness of these strategies hinges on how well the timing and misdirection align with public sentiment. If done skillfully, the audience might not even realize they’ve been misdirected, allowing the celebrity to regain control of the narrative. However, if the misdirection feels too obvious, it can backfire.

In the end, the success of these strategies depends on how seamlessly they are executed and how perceptive the public is to the sleight of hand.

Lesson Learned:

The key lesson here is that timing and transparency are everything in PR. Whether you’re a celebrity or navigating your personal life, you can use timing to redirect focus and control the narrative. It’s about maintaining your reputation and managing how others perceive you.

In PR, addressing the issue head-on and connecting with your audience is crucial for reshaping the narrative in your favor.

Closing Remarks:

That’s it for this week’s episode of The PR Breakdown. I’m thrilled to be back with this new format, and I hope you’ll stay with me for the ride.

If you’re eager to dive deeper into these stories, head over to my Patreon at Patreon.com/mollymcpherson, where I explore the finer details and host live sessions with a community of like-minded PR strategists.

I’ll be back every Wednesday with another breakdown. If you found this episode insightful, make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with anyone obsessed with PR strategies and crisis communication. You can also follow me on social media for daily updates on the latest PR moves and stunts.

Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next week with another big story. Bye for now.

Credits:

• Host: Molly McPherson