Timberlake and Diaz Call it Quits

It is now finally official. After weeks of speculation and rumors flying around, the publicity shy celebrity couple of singer Justin Timberlake and Charlie’s Angels actress Cameron Diaz have confirmed their break-up.

The relationship between Cameron Diaz (34) and Justin Timberlake (25) lasted a solid three years. They have been one of the most high profile celebrity couple to have called it quits in recent times.

Issuing a joint statement, the couple said, “It has always been our preference not to comment on the status of our relationship, but, out of respect for the time we spent together, we feel compelled to do so now, in the light of recent speculation and inaccurate stories that are being reported by the media.”

There have been whispered murmurs in recent times that all was not well with this celebrity couple. That things were not actually well manifested in the form of Diaz being missing from the kick-off concert of Timberlake’s latest tour, the 36-date FutureSex/LoveShow tour earlier this week. This one incident was enough to send the rumor mill into overdrive.

According to People Magazine, Timberlake was supposed to have told the crowd, “Sometimes love isn’t easy.” In the joint statement, the couple also said, “We have, in fact, ended our romantic relationship and have done so mutually and as friends with continued love and respect for each other.”

The celebrity duo was a couple for close to four years. They started dating way back in April 2003, after meeting at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, and finally split just before this New Year. One effect of the bitter split between the two is a new set of rumors, that Timberlake is dating actress 22-year old Scarlett Johansson, Diaz’s bitter rival.

Timberlake has been linked to Johansson after the two were spotted together at an after-party for his new film, Alpha Dog. The Lost in Translation actress also features in the My Love singer’s latest music video, titled What Goes Around.