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Could Justin Timberlake Save Britney?

Timbaland, who has crafted hits for Justin Timberlake and Nelly Furtado, wants to help Britney Spears reclaim her once-stellar career.

"I feel her pain. It really bothers me," the 34-year-old rapper-producer says in an interview in Entertainment Weekly magazine's March 16 issue. "I'm the type of person who tries to save the world. I just want to take her away, go overseas, and work (it) out."

Timbaland says he invited Timberlake, his "best friend" and Spears' ex-boyfriend, to be part of that plan.


Photos: Britney Spears

"I asked Justin, 'How would you feel about me working with Britney?' I had to ask him that," Timbaland is quoted as saying. "I said, 'Would you do it with me?"'

The 26-year-old "SexyBack" singer said he would, according to Timbaland, who notes: "She's just gotta be serious."

Timberlake's spokeswoman, Sonia Muckle, referred inquiries to Timbaland's spokeswoman, Monique Idlett, who didn't immediately respond to a phone call Wednesday from The Associated Press. Gina Orr, a publicist at Jive Records, Spears' label, didn't immediately respond to an e-mail message.

Last month, Spears, 25, checked into Promises Malibu drug and alcohol rehabilitation center in California, capping a week of bizarre behavior in which she entered and exited rehab twice, shaved her head bald and went out clubbing with friends.


High-Profile Healing
"I just want to hold her hand," Timbaland says in the interview. "I want her to be in my camp, to be around Justin. I need Justin to talk to her. Help her, please!"
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