Candy Fans are Loving Jessica Biel's Homage to Early Aughts Justin Timberlake

The fourth episode of Hulu's true crime miniseries Candy features a surprise that viewers didn't see coming — a cameo from Justin Timberlake. The singer, who is married to star Jessica Biel in real life, shocked fans by appearing as Steve “Diffy” Deffibaugh, a sheriff’s deputy who arrives at the crime scene to investigate the murder of Betty Gore (Melanie Lynskey).

Viewers quickly spotted Timerlake's surprise appearance and shared photos on Twitter, with one posting, "I didn’t even see it coming. I’m sorry if I ruined it but you won’t ever expect it."

Not the Justin Timberlake cameo as Dpt Sheriff Diffy. 😂😂😂 #CandyOnHulu pic.twitter.com/LyDUx5hrBC

— Chatterbox Keirn (@ChatterboxKeirn) May 12, 2022

Justin Timberlake is in Candy. I didn’t even see it coming. I’m sorry if I ruined it but you won’t ever expect it.#CandyOnHulu

— Meagon Marshall (@81megs) May 12, 2022

me: that sheriff looks familiar

the sheriff: justin timberlake#CandyOnHulu

— mari (@canonbarisi) May 12, 2022

Fans also pointed out that Biel's wig looks suspiciously like Timberlake's iconic "ramen noodle" hairdo from the early aughts. The wig helps to transform Biel into accused accused axe murderer Candy Montgomery, but it's definitely reminiscent of Timberlake's NSYNC days.

Just sayin #CandyOnHulu is AWESOME pic.twitter.com/gPotkMsko1

— Flushing Gazpacho 🌊 (@CovfefeGazpacho) May 10, 2022

Candy Montgomery really had the nerve to fuck her friend's husband with her hair looking like that. #CandyOnHulu pic.twitter.com/eQZb7kyQI1

— Alan Sarapa (@AlanSarapa) May 9, 2022

Not to be outdone by his wife, Timberlake's wig inspired some criticism of its own.

Not @jtimberlake with the surprise cameo in #CandyonHulu as the sheriff. I knew it was him the minute I heard his voice. I’m cackling. The wig is sending me 🤣 pic.twitter.com/59bKZctMse

— Storm ⛈⚡️ (@Stormviking010) May 12, 2022

Wait yall they got Justin Timberlake in a bad wig with a beer belly on #CandyOnHulu 😂 I was watching the episode like " wtf is that Justin " 😂😂😭😭 https://t.co/LYJvq5M5gP

— ♎Shyy (@Yoni_Thief) May 12, 2022

As it turns out, Timberlake's "bad wig and beer belly" was actually part of what convinced him to do the role. Biel told E! News that Timberlake expressed interest in playing Diffy, but there was no room left in the budget to pay him. "And he goes, 'I don't care about getting paid. I just want you to pay for my wig and I want my prosthetic belly,'" recalled the actress. He certainly got his wish.

Episode 4 of Candy is available to stream on Hulu. The fifth and final episode drops tomorrow, May 13.

Kirstie Renae is a writer, blogger, and Austin-based actress with a penchant for binge-watching TV with her dogs. Follow her on Twitter @KirstieRenae.