Jessica Biel issued a plea to fellow parents, begging them to stop using the virus called “Jessica” for children’s anger.
“Guys, I’m not sure how I feel about this, like, ‘Jessica style’ for moms and toddlers and now dogs, apparently, working for themselves – which is amazing, I’m going to try it on my dogs,” said Biel, 44, on Friday, April 10, in a video shared on TikTok. “Because I think that half of these children in these videos look scared.”
The Valentine’s Day actress was responding to a new parenting trend that involves parents suddenly and loudly yelling the name “Jessica” over and over while their toddler plays. The goal, according to this practice, is to confuse or distract the young child or children until they stop making noise.
“I’d love to be able to walk into your house with my name, which I share with many other wonderful Jessicas around the world, I’m sure, and help you with your children’s tantrums,” she continued. But I feel that these children are scared. They look scared and hope Jessica won’t show up.
She continued, “Part of me wants to say, ‘You’re welcome, I’m glad I can help. And also, ‘Please, please don’t let your child be afraid of people named Jessica. Because we’re good people. We’re good people. We want to help you with anger but we don’t want to scare your child.”
Biel shares two sons, Silas and Phineas, with her husband, Justin Timberlake. According to the proud mother, the viral habit does not work on her children.
@jessbiel On behalf of all Jessicas, we are good people
♬ Crip Beatz – Crip-Beatz
“Yes, it doesn’t work with my children,” he explained. “My kids are like, ‘What? Why are you yelling your name, you weirdo? Like, you’re weirder than you already are.’
He concluded, “So, I’m debating. I don’t know what to say, what do you think? Isn’t there another word that works? You’re welcome? It’s–it’s a toss up.”
Biel, who welcomed her first child with the former boy band singer in 2015, has been focusing on raising her sons since Timberlake’s June 18, 2024, DWI arrest, which happened just two days after Father’s Day.
“Jessica is very upset,” said an insider Us Weekly after Timberlake’s legal troubles. “He was shocked when he heard the news and he didn’t even know he was working, he was very worried about him.
The insider added, “She always gives Justin the benefit of the doubt.”
The singer later spoke about his arrest when he appeared in court in September 2024.
“I’m trying to hold myself to the highest standard — and I wasn’t,” he told reporters at the time, according to ABC News. “I found myself in a situation where I could have made a different decision, but I had time to think about it.”
He continued, “What I would like to say to everyone watching and listening: Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel of a car. There are many other ways. Call a friend, take Uber, there are many travel apps.” [or] take a taxi. This is a mistake I made, but I hope that anyone watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake.”
Timberlake pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of driving while impaired (DWAI), a non-criminal traffic violation. He was fined $500, ordered to complete 25 hours of community service and received a 90-day license suspension.
