Justin Timberlake is a popular American singer performing in pop, R&B, and soul genres, a songwriter, and actor. Having started his musical career in the boy band N’Sync, the musician managed to successfully go solo, becoming one of the most famous and respected American performers.
Justin Timberlake
Childhood
Justin was born on January 31, 1981, in the southern state of Tennessee, in a religious and incredibly musical family. In his hometown of Memphis, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis began their journey to fame. Justin's father, Randall Timberlake, played guitar in a band, and on holidays and weekends, he conducted the choir in a Baptist church. His grandfather was also an excellent guitarist and even befriended Elvis Presley in his youth.
Justin Timberlake in his childhood
Justin's parents married quite young and divorced when their son was not even five years old. Soon his mother remarried, and his father also started a second family, in which two more sons appeared. Justin's parents managed to maintain friendly relations, so he never felt neglected and got along well with his stepbrothers.
Justin Timberlake grew up as a happy boy
The boy's musical abilities began to manifest themselves in early childhood. His grandfather taught Justin to play the guitar, and his father often took him to his concerts. From an early age, his idol was Michael Jackson, and often, as soon as he heard the sounds of any of his songs, the boy would start dancing, imitating the pop king's famous "moonwalk".
Justin's musical abilities were manifested in childhood
It's not surprising that at the age of 12, Justin made it to television: first to the program StarSearch ("In Search of a Star"), where he performed simple country-style songs, and then to the children's entertainment show "The Mickey Mouse Club". There he met Britney Spears, who became his girlfriend a few years later, and JC Chasez, his future N'Sync bandmate.
Britney Spears & Justin Timberlake live ‘I Feel For You’ - MMC
N’Sync
Justin was invited to join the band N'Sync when he was just sixteen years old. Despite his mother's concerns, the young man managed to juggle performing with the group, attending school, and taking acting classes.
Justin Timberlake in his youth
The boy band quickly became incredibly popular, and its members became favorites among millions of fans around the world. N'Sync performed at the most prestigious venues worldwide, and their albums sold in huge numbers.
NSYNC - Bye Bye Bye (Official Video)
The next album from N'Sync, titled "Celebrity", was released in the summer of 2001 and was a significant event in the pop music world. The album's success came thanks to hits such as "Pop", "Girlfriend", and "Gone", all written by Justin Timberlake.
Justin Timberlake was a member of a popular boy band
It was in this second album that Justin's songwriting talent became apparent. The single "Pop" won four MTV VMA awards and was recognized as the most successful hit of the year.
NSYNC - Pop
Solo Career
However, in 2002, at the peak of his popularity, Justin decided to leave the group and embark on a solo career. This move was seen as rash by many at the time, except for his mother, who always believed in her son.
In 2002, Justin Timberlake began his solo career
Indeed, the success of the young singer's debut album, "Justified", released that same year, exceeded all of Justin's expectations, and his fans were able to see that their idol had his own unique musical style. The tracks "Cry Me a River" and "Rock Your Body" were particularly loved by the public. Within a year, Justin had won two Grammy Awards and entered the top twenty of the world's wealthiest and most successful performers.
Justin Timberlake - Cry Me A River (Official)
His second album, "FutureSex/LoveSounds", released in 2006, was even more successful than his debut – the R&B style was at its peak of popularity at that time, in large part thanks to Justin. For this album, Timberlake collaborated with successful songwriter, rapper, and producer Timbaland, which influenced the entire content of the original album.
Justin Timberlake's popularity was gaining incredible momentum every year
With several Grammys, 10 million album sales, and a music video featuring Scarlett Johansson, the singer could have considered this year the most successful in his career. However, after a brief break and collaborations with Beyonce, Madonna, and Lonely Island, in 2013 Timberlake released his most conceptual album – "The 20/20 Experience".
Madonna feat Justin Timberlake - 4 Minutes
This record stands out in the singer's discography due to a change in musical style - there are many measured and long compositions in the neo-soul genre and various sound experiments. Timberlake recorded the single "Suit & Tie" with Jay-Z, and the music video for this track was directed by none other than David Fincher (director of "Fight Club" and "The Social Network").
Justin Timberlake ft. Jay-Z - Suit & Tie
In 2018, Justin Timberlake presented his fourth album called "Man of the Woods" to the listeners, once again showing himself as a pop performer who is not afraid to experiment with style. For the album, the singer recorded collaborative tracks with Pharrell Williams and Alicia Keys.
Acting Career
Justin Timberlake is a very versatile artist. In addition to a stellar music career, he has also distinguished himself in film roles. Being a pop singer does not stop Justin from transforming into his characters. He skillfully combines filming with successes in music, and for some time, he even wanted to devote himself entirely to this art.
Justin Timberlake tried himself as an actor in the mid 2000s
His debut was in the crime drama "Edison" (2005), where he played the young journalist Pollack, and the main roles were performed by Kevin Spacey and Morgan Freeman. In the same year, the budding actor starred in the high-profile crime thriller about drug trafficking "Alpha Dog" by Nick Cassavetes. The film brought together actors such as Anton Yelchin, Bruce Willis, and Sharon Stone.
Justin's debut was shooting in the crime drama Edison
In 2006, Timberlake appeared in the musical drama "Black Snake Moan" with Samuel L. Jackson and Christina Ricci. Another significant role for him was participation in David Fincher's biopic about Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, "The Social Network" (2010), which also starred Jesse Eisenberg and Andrew Garfield.
Justin Timberlake in Alpha Dog
Later, Timberlake decided to loosen up even more and started acting in comedies - many enjoyed his funny roles in "Bad Teacher" with Cameron Diaz and "Friends with Benefits" with Mila Kunis in 2011. His roles in the action-dystopia "In Time" (2011) with Amanda Seyfried and the Coen Brothers' musical drama "Inside Llewyn Davis" with Oscar Isaac and Carey Mulligan were more serious.
Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis
In 2016, Timberlake voiced one of the characters in the popular animated film "Trolls," and his song for this animation, "Can't Stop The Feeling," was nominated for an Oscar.
Justin Timberlake – Can't Atop The Feeling!
In 2018, a new film starring Justin Timberlake was released in Russia - Woody Allen's drama "Wonder Wheel", which also starred Kate Winslet and James Belushi.
Justin Timberlake's Personal Life
In the early 2000s, the romance between Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears was discussed by everyone. Their love story lasted four years and ended, to the huge disappointment of fans, not with a beautiful wedding ceremony, but with the bride's infidelity with their mutual friend. The singer took a long time to get over Britney's act and even wrote a song dedicated to it called "Cry Me a River," which became a super hit.
Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears
A few years later, the young artist began dating Cameron Diaz. This romance also lasted four years and ended with a breakup.
Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz
Actress and model Jessica Biel managed to tame the volatile handsome man and marry him. Justin began dating her in 2007, and in April 2015, after a series of breakups and reunions, the couple had a son - Silas Randall Timberlake.
Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel
In 2019, rumors surfaced online that Timberlake had cheated on his wife - numerous photos appeared on social networks where Timberlake was hugging his colleague - Alisha Wainwright. After this scandal, the couple was indeed on the verge of a breakup, but a few months later, it became known that they were expecting another baby.
Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel and their kids
Soon the lovers reconciled, and in July 2020, Justin and Jessica became parents for the second time - they had another boy.
Justin Timberlake Now
In 2019, Justin Timberlake could be seen in the Fresh Leaves Spring video collaboration with Levi's. That same year, he worked on voicing one of the characters in the animated film "Trolls: World Tour". Its big-screen premiere took place in 2020.
Justin Timberlake x Levi's Fresh Leaves Spring 2019 Collection
Also in 2020, Timberlake returned to music and released the composition "Don’t Slack" together with Anderson Paak. Anna Kendrick starred in the music video for the composition, which was released on Youtube.
Justin Timberlake – Don't Slack
At the beginning of 2021, the drama "Palmer" premiered on Apple TV with Justin in the leading role. He plays Eddie Palmer, a former football player, now a recovering addict and a school janitor, who takes under his wing a neighbor's orphan boy. The film received high ratings from both viewers and critics, who called this role the best in Timberlake's career.
