Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel split up after ‘very awkward surprise birthday party’

By
Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 6:07 AM on 11th March 2011

Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel have have split after almost five years together.

And MailOnline has leant exclusively that the couple’s separation comes following a very awkward birthday party.

It came after the A Teams actress threw an intimate surprise party for The Social Network and made a gushing speech in front of guests that appeared to embarrass Justin.

Happier times: Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake at the New York Costume Institute Gala in 2009

Rumours
were beginning to circulate that things were not great between the
couple when the singer turned up to this year’s Academy Awards with his
mother, not Jessica, last month.

Further cracks had been beginning to show in the relationship earlier
that month when Jessica threw the party for Justin at his home at the
beginning of
the year.

A source told MailOnline Jessica was overcome with emotion when she stood up to toast her boyfriend on reaching the milestone.

Loved up: The couple get cosy at an LA Lakers game in April 2009

She quickly welled-up as she reminisced about the first time she met
Justin and joked about how she virtually stalked him into going on a
date with her.

The pair had exchanged numbers on a night out in 2007, but when
Justin failed to call Jessica a few days later, she took matters into
her own hands and began driving towards his house.

She said that before she knew it, she was outside his house and he
still hadn’t called her.  She joked about how she felt like a stalker,
but that thankfully he did eventually call and the rest was history.

The actress gushed about how utterly head over heels in love she was
with the singer and went on at length about how much he meant to her.

Surprise party: Justin’s luxury Mullholland Drive home where Jessica Biel threw him a surprise 30th birthday party last month

But after Jessica had finished her speech, Justin appeared dismiss
her emotional speech by standing up and yelling: ‘Yeah b*tches!’

‘It was really awkward,’ the source told MailOnline. ‘Justin’s reaction was almost disrespectful. He just laughed it off.’

A spokesperson for the couple confirmed: ‘Addressing the media
speculation regarding Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake’s relationship,
we are confirming that they mutually have decided to part ways.’

Mother of all guests: Justin with his mum Lynn Harless at the Oscars this year

They added: ‘The two remain friends and continue to hold the highest level of love and respect for each other.’

The pair had temporarily split up a few months earlier in November of
last year following rumours that Justin had allegedly cheated on
Jessica.

Today’s news is said to be Justin’s decision and sources say the actress is simply ‘devastated’.

But MSNBC are reporting that a reliable source has told them Jessica is far from devastated.

Backing Jessica up, the source has revealed: ‘Jessica is not devastated, that’s just cr*p.’

They added: ‘She’s a very independent, proud woman with her own career, she’s fine.’