Justin Timberlake & Jessica Biel: 15 Times Critics Thought They Were Calling It Quits

Talk about a Hollywood romance that started in a low-key way. Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel were introduced by a mutual friend in 2007. The former boy bander, fresh off his high-profile breakup with Cameron Diaz, decided to pursue the lovely actress, but she needed to be convinced.

"I had to be pretty persistent in order to get her to say yes," JT confessed about pursuing his now wife during a 2012 press conference. "But I have a fair amount of tenacity, and if I want something, I stick to it. And in the end she agreed."

In 2008, outlets reported Justin was ready to propose to Jessica but was discouraged by his mom's concern he was too young to get married. Others suggested the former 7th Heaven star simply wasn't able to impress his mom. Lynn Bomar Harless, JT's mom, has been a constant, guiding presence in her son's life -- so her alleged hesitations are understandable.

Early in their romance, these two did the long distance thing. Justin was on tour; Jessica was on location. Needless to say, their lack of being in the same physical space at the same time delayed kisses and other forms of affection. While on the Late Late Show With James Corden in 2017, Biel explained, "So, we never really kissed for a really long time."

Still, that didn't keep the actress from planning a future with Justin. Jessica told Corden she still keeps an email she sent to a friend at the beginning of their relationship which read, "I will marry this man."

Jessica and Justin broke up in 2011 for three months, but it was clear the love was still there between the two. "I don't want to say much more," Justin Timberlake told Vanity Fair about their split when it came up during the interview . "Because I have to protect things that are dear to me -- for instance, her. She is the single-handedly most significant person in my life. In my 30 years, she is the most special person, ok? So I protect it, and until somebody shows me what would be more fulfilling at this point, that’s what I have to do."

While Mila Kunis and JT were shooting the movie Friends With Benefits, tongues were wagging Justin was shamelessly trying to hit on Mila while he was still in a relationship (a committed one at that) with Jessica. Word has it, the celeb mom took a hard pass.

Jessica Biel's absence from the 2013 American Music Awards with her man sparked rumors their relationship was in trouble. The celeb mom quickly took to Twitter to set the record straight. "I'm watching from home tonight," she wrote. "Calm down, Internet."

When you're constantly hounded by paparazzi, it's hard to have a public argument with your husband in peace. Whether she was annoyed about socks on the floor or travel plans, in May of 2017, photogs caught Jessica Biel looking "pissed" with her hubby in tow who also looked a little ... tense. It's the exact same fight we've all had with our significant other in public. But for this couple, it sparked rumors of the demise of their marriage.

In summer 2017, outlets started reporting Jessica Biel's weight loss and her "gaunt" look were turning Justin off -- so much so, folks started questioning if they were headed towards splitsville. (Yes, really.) The basic takeaway is that one of the world's most beautiful women can't stay hot enough to please her man.

... awesome.

By the fall of 2017, new rounds of rumors Jessica and Justin were calling it quits really ramped up with reports of a pending $300 million divorce on the way.  Needless to say, that didn't really prove to be true.

Boy did the Internet have a field day when the rumor mill started swirling that Justin was making "secret calls" to Britney Spears. With growing speculation he was "miserable" and his marriage was in "crisis," Gossip Cop quickly shut those claims down.

In fall 2017, it was reported that Jessica's work schedule -- often far away on location -- was putting a strain on her marriage to Justin. She's a working mom with a successful career that reignited rumors it might cause a snag with her husband ... because, of course.

By December 2017, reports emerged Jess and JT had sought marriage counseling to sort out disagreements over having more kids. Apparently, Justin was down for baby number two, but Jessica had hesitations and wasn't in as big of a hurry to grow their family. "Justin seems miserable," an unnamed source told In Touch Weekly. "Jessica had planned to raise their kids without nannies and even considered moving out of LA."

Make up your minds! First, rumors surface that Jessica is "too busy" with her career that put a strain on her relationship with Justin. Then, outlets quickly reported the celeb mom was "stressed," because Justin wasn't around to help care for their son Silas -- leaving Jessica to feel "like a single mom." Obviously, this bit of tea, and speculation this couple would divorce as a result of these issues, were all fake news.

These two just can't catch a break. In early 2018, sources allegedly close to JT and Jessica revealed their secret to a happy marriage. (Spoiler alert: It includes affection, being BFFs, and spending time together.) One would think that would be feels-worthy, but instead, it sparked more rumors their marriage was in trouble. "Bragging is always a sign of an impending split," a critic quipped in response to the reveal.

Recently, Justin and Jessica were accused of trying to have a second baby in order to "save" their marriage. "[They've] had marital issues over the years -- including trust issues and differing views on how to raise Sila. A baby could be just what they need to save their marriage," an "insider" alleged to In Touch. Needless to say, this rumor was debunked with the utmost quickness.