It’s by no means occurred to me, however I’ve heard that different individuals typically don’t really feel like the best particular person within the room. Currently, it looks as if he spends extra time in sizzling water, however at one level, Justin Timberlake appeared like the best man on the planet. Regardless of his large fame and success, Timberlake at all times felt like he was in rooms with extra snug and assured individuals than he was. So, in one of the crucial profitable types of overcompensation ever, he wrote and launched the 2006 smash hit “SexyBack”, an anthem declaring that he was redefining cool on his personal phrases. And in plenty of methods, he did. The music dominated radio, golf equipment, and popular culture, a testomony to Justin Timberlake’s creativity and drive, making him the powerhouse he grew to become. It hasn’t at all times been excellent, and we’ll speak about that, too, however fewer artists have matched Justin Timberlake’s peak or longevity.
However earlier than we go there, let’s return to the place the start started, when he was born ON HIS BIRTHDAY, January 31, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee, a city with a wealthy musical historical past. And since we’re speaking Tennessee, let’s be trustworthy, viewer—you’re the one ten I see. When you’re watching this video round when it drops, pleased birthday to Justin! He joined The All-New Mickey Mouse Membership in 1993 for its sixth season, the place he met his future *NSYNC bandmate JC Chasez, together with Britney Spears, with whom he’d type a checkered historical past, Christina Aguilera, Keri Russell, and Ryan Gosling.
Justin Timberlake, together with JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Lance Bass, and Chris Kirkpatrick—yeah, the one you at all times neglect, shaped *NSYNC in 1995 below the exploitative thumb of Lou Pearlman. Pearlman had a mannequin the place he’d prop up these varied pop teams, together with the Backstreet Boys, and provides them pennies on the {dollars} they earned working brutal schedules with few days off. Fortunately, bosses in different industries by no means try this.
*NSYNC acquired their toes moist in Europe earlier than releasing their self-titled debut album within the U.S. in March of 1998. Later that 12 months, they had been Residence for Christmas, an underrated Christmas album. After a authorized battle with Pearlman, *NSYNC launched their magnum opus, 2000’s No Strings Hooked up, which was one of many best-selling albums of the last decade and held the first-week US gross sales document for 15 years. The album helped them get away of the Backstreet Boys’ shadow with a extra R&B-and hip-hop-infused sound that the band insisted on. Significantly, in case you had been a child round this time, you would achieve or lose mates primarily based on whether or not you claimed *NSYNC or the Backstreet Boys. It was a battle. 2001 marked the discharge of *NSYNC’s closing studio album, Celeb. In a story as previous as music, it was round this time that the band started to develop aside creatively, with Timberlake later saying the opposite band members simply didn’t need it as badly as he did. He additionally wished to deal with his solo profession, so he mentioned Bye Bye Bye to the band. In November 2002, he launched his debut solo album Justified. Get it? JustIN/JustIFIED? You get it. The largest hit off that album was Cry Me a River, which options lyrics a few relationship that failed as a result of dishonest and a music video with an actress who could also be meant to appear like Britney Spears. I assume it was his method of claiming, “I’m into brunettes, now.” The album would web him a Grammy for Finest Pop Vocal Album and Finest Male Pop Vocal Efficiency.
You might do not forget that Justin Timberlake carried out with Janet Jackson on the Tremendous Bowl XXXVIII (38) halftime present in 2004. In an odd grasp at relevancy, Timberlake uncovered Jackson’s breast, in an incident that got here to be often called “Nipplegate”, as a result of, ever since Watergate, each controversy has to get a ‘gate’ stapled onto the top. All of it appeared only a bit too choreographed to be unintended, and regardless of an Oscar nom and a handful of Emmys, no one was shopping for Justin’s ‘it was an accident’ protection. The dialog that dominated the information cycle was about who was complicit and the way a lot they knew entering into. Gotta discover somebody accountable for exhibiting a part of a boobie throughout my sacred sports activities ball recreation.
And it was round this time, burnt out by the music-making course of, that Justin Timberlake started his display screen forays, beginning with the crime drama Edison in 2005, a film so forgettable that even Morgan Freeman couldn’t put it aside—and that man narrated March of the Penguins. The burnout didn’t final lengthy, although, as a result of in 2006, Timberlake declared that he was bringing attractive again along with his second solo album, Future Intercourse/Love Sounds. The album’s slick, eclectic, interlude-heavy fashion made it arguably his finest, incomes him a number of Grammys, together with Finest Rap/Sung Collaboration, Finest Male Pop Vocal Efficiency, and two for Finest Dance Recording.
2006 can be when Justin Timberlake started his heralded appearances on Saturday Evening Stay, which might earn him 4 Emmys. Yeah, Dick in a Field gained an Emmy. And it completely deserved it. It was genius—transcending popular culture into the realm of a cultural phenomenon. The Lonely Island guys have all of the comedic and musical expertise worldwide. Nonetheless, Timberlake’s participation lent legitimacy, novelty, and celeb, which helped propel it into the higher echelon of musical comedy sketches. It’s catchy, subversive, and a pointy commentary on R&B tropes—with a little bit one thing further for the film nerds. (Barry Levinson’s Diner from 1982). The digital shorts Motherlover in 2009 and 3- Means (The Golden Rule) in 2011, that includes Girl Gaga, proceed in the identical vein and are good in their very own methods.
Timberlake’s function in Alpha Canine in 2007 confirmed he could have some bonafide performing chops. That busy 12 months additionally included appearances in Black Snake Moan, Samuel Jackson’s different snake film, and Southland Tales, the place Timberlake is barely recognizable in an overwrought narrator function. It should have been green-lit in between Donnie Darko’s preliminary launch and the director’s lower when individuals nonetheless thought Richard Kelly knew what he was doing.
After roles in Shrek the Third in 2007, The Love Guru in 2008, and The Open Highway in 2009, Timberlake toon on what is maybe his definitive performing function, as Sean Parker in 2010’s The Social Community. The efficiency earned vital acclaim and award nominations, showcasing a variety past his standard musician typecasting. He brings a refined fragility masked by charming bravado, making him the proper foil to Jesse Eisenberg’s Mark Zuckerberg.
Justin Timberlake voiced Boo Boo within the 2010 3D animated Yogi Bear, which didn’t should be made. His 2011 included roles in Unhealthy Trainer, Buddies with Advantages, which is fairly good in case you’re into rom-coms, and In Time, which has a cool, if underdeveloped, idea. 2012 introduced us Hassle with the Curve, which has a little bit bother getting off the bottom, and 2013 introduced us Runner Runner, which I’d say to run away from except you actually like shallow thrillers. The Coen Brothers’ Inside Llewyn Davis is improbable, however it meant far more for Oscar Isaac’s profession than Justin Timberlake’s.
2013 additionally introduced us Timberlake’s third solo album, The 20/20 Expertise, and its continuation, The 20/20 Expertise – 2 of two. Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Children, the 2016 Jonathan Demme-directed live performance movie, is of the perfect you’ll see. That very same 12 months featured Timberlake in Trolls, whereby he voiced the cynical Department reverse Anna Kendrick’s unflinchingly optimistic Poppy. Timberlake’s contribution to the soundtrack – Can’t Cease the Feeling, which, in case you had younger children round this time, you couldn’t cease taking part in, earned him Golden Globe and Oscar Noms for Finest Authentic Music and a Grammy for Finest Music Written for Visible Media. The Trolls film grew to become a cultural phenomenon, spawning two-holiday specials, two animated sequence, and merch out of the wazoo. Timberlake returned for 2 sequels: Trolls World Tour in 2020 and Trolls Band Collectively in 2023 – the latter that includes a reunion along with his *NSYNC bandmates for a music on the soundtrack.
Justin Timberlake starred for Woody Allen in 2017’s Marvel Wheel, which options beautiful visuals and an earnest efficiency from Timberlake if not a cohesive entire. In early 2018, he launched his fourth solo album, Man of the Woods. And one way or the other, the Tremendous Bowl invited him again for his or her halftime present so he might market it. This was the start of a redemption tour, of types, which additionally included a public apology on Instagram to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, spurred by renewed scrutiny from a New York Occasions docuseries and the #MeToo motion.
This reflective vulnerability probably knowledgeable his efficiency in 2021’s Palmer, the place he delivers a restrained, emotionally nuanced efficiency that speaks to his progress as each an actor and an individual. The movie’s reception and the fairness he gained for his half within the large Trolls franchise served to endear him to the general public for a time. He even appeared along with his former *NSYNC bandmates to current on the VMAs in 2023. However nothing up to now was going to face in opposition to the accusations levied in opposition to him in Britney Spears’ 2023 memoir The Girl in Me. Rampant dishonest, pressuring her into an abortion, and, worst of all, breaking apart together with her by way of textual content message! LEAVE BRITNEY ALONE!
Then, not lengthy after the discharge of his album The whole lot I Thought It Was in 2024, Justin Timberlake was arrested for driving whereas intoxicated in The Hamptons, New York, after operating a cease signal and veering out of his lane. As a part of his plea deal, he was made to provide a ridiculous public apology that got here off prefer it was written for SNL.
Trying ahead, I see that perceptions of Justin Timberlake appear to depend upon who you ask. His latest controversies had been anticipated to negatively have an effect on ticket gross sales for his Overlook Tomorrow World Tour, however it’s been the fastest-selling tour of his solo profession. He’s been filling large arenas, including further reveals, and, apparently, proving that individuals will forgive loads in case you’re sizzling and proficient. Even his *NSYNC bandmates confirmed up for his LA live performance—possibly a tease that everybody’s second-favorite boy band has one thing massive within the pipeline. And in case you don’t just like the sound of that, Cry Me a River.
