Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31, 1981)[1] is an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and dancer.[2] Dubbed the "Prince of Pop", he is an influential figure inpopular music. Timberlake is one of thebest-selling music artists of all time, with estimated sales of 88 million records worldwide.[3]
Born and raised inMemphis, Tennessee, Timberlake appeared on musical television shows as a child, competing onStar Search; in the early to mid-1990s, he was a cast member on theDisney Channel'sThe All New Mickey Mouse Club, where he performed cover songs, skits, and choreography. On the show, Timberlake met and worked with future bandmateJC Chasez, and the two later rose to prominence as thelead vocalists of thepopboy bandNSYNC. The group released four commercially successful studio albums, becoming one of thebest-selling boy bands of all time with sales of over 70 million units worldwide.
Justin Randall Timberlake was born on January 31, 1981, inMemphis, Tennessee,[1] the son of Janet Lynn (née Bomar) Harless and Charles Randall Timberlake, aBaptist church choir director.[6][7][8][9] Timberlake has two half-brothers, Jonathan and Stephen, from Charles' second marriage to Lisa Perry. His half-sister Laura Katherine died shortly after birth in 1997, and is mentioned in his acknowledgments in the albumNSYNC as "My Angel in Heaven".
His family circle includes several musicians;[10] his grandfather introduced him to music fromcountry music artists likeJohnny Cash andWillie Nelson.[11] Performing as a child, Timberlake sang country andgospel music: at the age of 11, he appeared on the television showStar Search, performing country songs as "Justin Randall".[12] By that time, he began listening torhythm and blues musicians from the 1960s and 70s, such asAl Green,Stevie Wonder andMarvin Gaye, and he had listening sessions with his father of studio albums by theEagles andBob Seger.[11]
Theboy bandNSYNC formed in 1995, and they began recording and performing in 1996 in Europe; Timberlake and Chasez served as its two lead singers.[15] In 1998, the group rose to prominence in the United States with the release of theirself-titled debut studio album, which sold 11 million copies and includes the single "Tearin' Up My Heart". The group had a series of legal battles with former managerLou Pearlman, and they subsequently signed withJive Records. They released their third studio albumNo Strings Attached (2000) which sold 2.4 million copies in the first week,[16] becoming the fastest-selling album of all time. They held this record until 2015 whenAdele surpassed the record with her third album25.No Strings Attached also includes the number one single "It's Gonna Be Me", "Bye Bye Bye", and "This I Promise You". NSYNC's fourth studio albumCelebrity (2001) was also financially successful, selling 1.8 million copies in the first week and spawning top-five singles such as "Girlfriend". Upon the completion of theCelebrity Tour, the group went on an indefinite hiatus in 2002. NSYNC performed at theAcademy Awards in 2000,[17] the2002 Winter Olympics,[18] and theSuper Bowl XXXV halftime show.[19] The band sold more than 70 million records worldwide, becoming thefifth-best selling boy band in history.[20]
In 2000, Timberlake appeared inThe Wonderful World of Disney movieModel Behavior. He played Jason Sharpe, a model who falls in love with a waitress after mistaking her for another model.[21]
The rise of his own stardom and the general decline in the popularity of boy bands led to the dissolution of NSYNC. Band memberLance Bass was openly critical of Timberlake's actions in his memoirOut of Sync.[22] By 2002, when the group went on an indefinite hiatus and members were doing individual projects, he partnered withPharrell Williams of the producing teamThe Neptunes–andTimbaland to start working on new music.[23] The idea of going solo was strengthened a year earlier. Timberlake originally wrote the single "Gone" around 2001 forMichael Jackson, but he turned the song down, and it was instead recorded by NSYNC. Before its release, however, Jackson contacted him. Timberlake declared in a later interview that the first time he felt confident to go solo happened after that conversation.[24] In a retrospective article in 2020,Billboard consideredCelebrity "the group's swan song, setting the stage for Timberlake's equally massive solo career".[25]
[Michael] called me on the phone and said that he wanted to cut the record ("Gone"), but he wanted it to be a duet between himself and I. And I said, 'Well ... we've already cut the song as an 'N Sync record. Could we do, like, 'N Sync featuring Michael Jackson', or 'Michael Jackson featuring 'N Sync'? And he was very absolute about the fact that he wanted it to be a duet between himself and I.. [That was] the first time I ever really felt the confidence to do it
In August 2002, Timberlake performed at the2002 MTV Video Music Awards, where he premiered his debut solo single "Like I Love You";[26] it peaked at number 11 on theBillboard Hot 100[27] and number two on theUK Singles Chart.[28] His debut solo studio albumJustified was released in November[29] and debuted at number two on theBillboard 200 with first-week sales of 439,000 copies, fewer than previous 'N Sync releases. It sold over three million copies in the U.S. and more than ten million copies worldwide.[30] ItsR&B influence, provided byhip-hop producersThe Neptunes andTimbaland,[31] was complimented by music critics. About the musical direction of the record, he commented, "I just want to do R&B. It's what I grew up listening to".[32] The album spawned the top-five singles "Cry Me a River" and "Rock Your Body".[27]
Near the end of 2002, Timberlake was the first celebrity to appear onPunk'd, a "candid camera" type show created byAshton Kutcher to trick celebrities.[36] Timberlake, who cried during the episode, later admitted to being under the influence ofcannabis when he was pranked.[37] Three episodes later, he set upKelly Osbourne to be "punk'd", thus making him the first celebrity to appear on the show more than once.[38] Timberlake later spoofedAshton Kutcher andPunk'd in a 2003 episode of NBC'sSaturday Night Live.[39] Timberlake co-starred in a skit titledThe Barry Gibb Talk Show alongside comedianJimmy Fallon, where the duo portrayedBee Gees brothersBarry andRobin Gibb. It marked the beginning of a long-running friendship and collaboration with Fallon.[40]
In February 2004, during theSuper Bowl XXXVIII halftime show, broadcast on theCBS television network fromHouston, Timberlake performed withJanet Jackson before a television audience of more than 140 million viewers. At the end of the performance, as the song drew to a close, Timberlake tore off a part of Jackson's black leather costume in a "costume reveal" meant to accompany a portion of the song lyrics. Jackson's representative explained Timberlake intended "to pull away the rubber bustier to reveal a red lace bra. Part of the costume detached, and Jackson's breast was briefly exposed.[41] Timberlake apologized for the incident, stating he was "sorry that anyone was offended by the wardrobe malfunction during the halftime performance of the Super Bowl..."[41] The phrase "wardrobe malfunction" has since been used by the media to refer to the incident and has enteredpop culture.[42] Timberlake and Jackson were threatened with exclusion from the2004 Grammy Awards unless they agreed to apologize on screen at the event. Timberlake attended and issued a scripted apology when accepting the first of twoGrammy Awards he received that night (Best Pop Vocal Album forJustified andBest Male Pop Vocal Performance for "Cry Me a River").[43] He had also been nominated forAlbum of the Year forJustified, andRecord of the Year along withBest Rap/Sung Collaboration for "Where Is the Love?" withThe Black Eyed Peas.[43]
2004–2007: Films andFutureSex/LoveSounds
After the Super Bowl incident, Timberlake put his recording career on hold to act in several films, having starred in a few feature films earlier in his career.[13] The first role he took during this time was as a journalist inEdison Force, filmed in 2004 and received a direct-to-video release on July 18, 2006.[44] He also appeared in the filmsAlpha Dog,Black Snake Moan,Richard Kelly'sSouthland Tales, and voicedPrince Artie Pendragon in the animated filmShrek the Third, released on May 18, 2007.[45] He also appeared as a youngElton John, in the video for John's song "This Train Don't Stop There Anymore".[46] Timberlake was considered to play the role of Roger Davis in thefilm version of the rock musicalRent, but directorChris Columbus had insisted that only the originalBroadway members could convey the true meaning ofRent, so the role was reprised byAdam Pascal.[47]
He continued to record with other artists. After "Where Is the Love?", he again collaborated with the Black Eyed Peas on the 2005 track "My Style" from their albumMonkey Business.[48] When recording the 2005 single "Signs" withSnoop Dogg, Timberlake discovered a throat condition.[49]Nodules were subsequently removed from his throat in an operation that took place on May 5, 2005.[50] He was advised not to sing or speak loudly for at least a few months.[51] In 2005, he began his own record company,JayTee records.[52]
FutureSex/LoveSounds, a full-length LP of coherence and uniform song-to-song quality virtually unheard of in pop music since the '80s golden age of Michael, Madonna, Janet and Prince... Like one of his suit-and-vest combos, Timberlake himself continued to wear pop stardom exceptionally well. He glided through his music videos and live performances with the confidence of a man who'd already spent a large percentage of his life in the spotlight, and who never doubted he'd be able to return to music on top.
—Billboard's "The Greatest Pop Star By Year (1981–2019)"[25]
Timberlake released his second studio album,FutureSex/LoveSounds, on September 12, 2006. The album, which Timberlake created from 2005 to 2006, debuted at number-one on theBillboard 200 album chart, selling 684,000 copies its first week.[53] It became the biggest album for pre-orders oniTunes, and beatColdplay's record for the biggest one-week sales of a digital album.[54] The album was produced by Timbaland andDanja (who produced a bulk of the album),will.i.am,Rick Rubin and Timberlake himself, and features guest vocals bySnoop Dogg,Three 6 Mafia,T.I. and will.i.am.[55] A studio representative described it as being "all about sexiness" and aiming for "an adult feel".[56]
The album's lead single, "SexyBack", was performed by Timberlake at the opening of the2006 MTV Video Music Awards and reached number-one on theBillboard Hot 100, where it remained for seven consecutive weeks.[57][better source needed] "My Love", the album's second single, also produced by Timbaland and featuring rapperT.I., reached number-one on the Hot 100, as did third single "What Goes Around... Comes Around". The song is reported to have been inspired by the break-up of his childhood friend and business partner, Trace Ayala, with actressElisha Cuthbert.[58] In October 2006, Timberlake said that he would focus on his music career rather than his film roles, specifying that leaving the music industry would be a "dumb thing to do at this point".[57][better source needed] He was the special guest performer at the 2006Victoria's Secret Fashion Show where he sang "SexyBack", "My Love" and "LoveStoned".[59]
Timberlake hosted many music events, including theEuropean MTV Music Awards in 2006. On December 16, 2006, Timberlake hostedSaturday Night Live, doing double duty as both host and musical guest for the second time. During this appearance, he andAndy Samberg performed an R&B song for a skit titled "Dick in a Box", which some radio stations aired as an unofficial single from Timberlake. Called "one of the most iconic musical moments in the show's history" byBillboard, it became a viral hit and one of the most viewed videos onYouTube at the time.[60]Rolling Stone listed the skit at number three on their "50 Greatest 'Saturday Night Live' Sketches of All Time".[61] The song earned him anEmmy Award and was later featured onThe Lonely Island's debut albumIncredibad.
The song "4 Minutes" was first played byTimbaland at Philadelphia's Jingle Ball on December 17, 2007.[64] When released on March 17, 2008, "4 Minutes" was revealed to be a duet between Timberlake andMadonna, with backing vocals by Timbaland. It was the lead single from Madonna's eleventh studio albumHard Candy, which featured four other song-writing collaborations with Timberlake, being also one of the executive producers.[65] The single was an international hit, topping the charts in over 21 countries worldwide.[66] Timberlake also appears in the music video, which was directed by Jonas & François. On March 30, 2008, Timberlake performed the song at Madonna'sHard Candy Promo Show at Roseland Ballroom inNew York City.[67] On November 6, 2008, Timberlake performed the song withMadonna on the Los Angeles stop of herSticky & Sweet Tour.[68]
In June 2007, Timberlake co-wrote, produced and provided vocals for the songs "Nite Runner" and "Falling Down" forDuran Duran's albumRed Carpet Massacre, released on November 13, 2007. "Falling Down" was released as a single in the UK on the previous day.[69] Also in 2007, Timberlake made an appearance on50 Cent's third albumCurtis. Timberlake, along with Timbaland, is featured on a track called "Ayo Technology", which was the album's fourth single. Also, another possible collaboration was to occur withLil Wayne for his albumTha Carter III withNelly Furtado and Timbaland.[70] With the wrapping up of the FutureSex/LoveSounds tour of Australasia and the Middle East in November 2007, Timberlake resumed his film career. Projects underway early in 2008 were starring roles inMike Myers' comedyThe Love Guru (released June 20, 2008) and Mike Meredith's dramaThe Open Road (released August 28, 2009). In March 2008, it was announced that he would be an executive producer in an American adaptation of the hitPeruvian comedyMy Problem with Women forNBC.[71] On November 20, 2008,TV Guide reported that Timberlake's next single, "Follow My Lead", which also featured vocals by Timberlake's protégée, former YouTube starEsmée Denters, would be available for exclusive download throughMyspace. All proceeds would go toShriners Hospitals for Children, a charity dedicated to improving pediatric care for sick children.[72] In February 2008, Timberlake was awarded twoGrammy Awards. At the50th Grammy Awards ceremony, he won theAward for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance for "What Goes Around...Comes Around", and theAward for Best Dance Recording for "LoveStoned/I Think She Knows".[73]
In 2008, a collaboration between Timberlake andT.I., "Dead and Gone", was featured on T.I.'s sixth studio album,Paper Trail, and was released as its fourth single late in 2009. In November 2008, it was confirmed that Timberlake would make a guest appearance and produce some tracks onR&B/pop singerCiara's upcoming albumFantasy Ride due out May 5, 2009. Timberlake featured on Ciara's second single "Love Sex Magic", the video being shot on February 20, 2009.[74] The single became a worldwide hit, reaching the top ten in numerous countries and peaking at number-one in several countries including Taiwan, India, and Turkey. The song was nominated forBest Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the52nd Grammy Awards. Timberlake hosted the 16thESPY Awards, and the musical number "I Love Sports" was later nominated for an Emmy award.[75] Timberlake and his production teamThe Y's, along withMike Elizondo, produced and co-wrote the song "Don't Let Me Down" forLeona Lewis's second studio album,Echo, released on November 17, 2009. Timberlake also co-wrote and performed on "Carry Out", the third single from Timbaland's albumShock Value II, released on December 1, 2009.[76] Timberlake appeared onJimmy Fallon's debut as host ofLate Night with Jimmy Fallon on March 2, 2009.[77] Timberlake was the executive producer on theMTV reality seriesThe Phone, which premiered on April 21, 2009. In late 2009, Barbadian singerRihanna released the albumRated R, with Timberlake being one of the writers and producers.[78] They both worked together previously for her third studio albumGood Girl Gone Bad.[79]
From 2010, Timberlake increased his acting work. He playedSean Parker, the founder ofNapster, in the acclaimed filmThe Social Network (2010). He also appeared at the 2010 MTV VMAs on September 12, 2010.[80] In 2011, he starred alongsideCameron Diaz inBad Teacher and alongsideMila Kunis inFriends with Benefits, and played Will Salas, the protagonist ofIn Time, a science fiction film byAndrew Niccol.[81] He provided a feature and appeared in the music video for the song "Motherlover" fromThe Lonely Island's second albumTurtleneck & Chain,[82] and directed and made a cameo in theFreeSol music video "Hoodies On, Hats Low", which was released in August 2011.[83] TheLate Night with Jimmy Fallon sketch "History of Rap" was performed for the first time by both Fallon and Timberlake in 2010.[84] In July 2011, United States Marine Kelsey De Santis uploaded aYouTube video asking Timberlake to be her date to the United States Marine Corps birthday ball; they attended the event on November 13, 2011, inRichmond, Virginia.[85] His fifthSaturday Night Live episode, as host and musical guest, was the most-watched episode in 14 months, withCharles Barkley as host andKelly Clarkson as musical guest.[86]
Timberlake began working on his third studio albumThe 20/20 Experience in June 2012 with "no rules and/or end goal in mind".[87] He publicly announced his return to the music industry in January 2013,[88] releasing the album's lead single "Suit & Tie" featuringJay-Z later that month, which would eventually peak at number three on theBillboard Hot 100. After four years not performing in concert, Timberlake appeared the night before the2013 Super Bowl and performed during the "DirecTV Super Saturday Night" on February 2, 2013, inNew Orleans.[89] On February 10, 2013, he performed "Suit & Tie" with sepia-toned lighting at the55th Annual Grammy Awards, with Jay-Z joining him from the audience. On February 11, 2013, "Mirrors" was released as the second single fromThe 20/20 Experience.[90] The song would eventually peak at number two on theBillboard Hot 100 and number-one on theUK Singles Chart.The 20/20 Experience was released on March 19, 2013[91] throughRCA Records due to the disbandment ofJive Records.[92][93] The album set a digital sales record for being the fastest-selling album on theiTunes Store[94] and debuted at number-one on the charts by moving just over 968,000 copies in the U.S., the biggest sales week of 2013.[95] It eventually became the best-selling album of the year in the country.[96]
2018–2022:Man of the Woods and Super Bowl LII halftime show
Timberlake performing onThe Man of the Woods Tour in Miami on May 18, 2018, which was the sixth highest-grossing tour of 2018
For the biggest pop stars in the world, the place where they have the most trouble is honesty... Because there's a formulaic sort of vulnerability... But if you're able to really screenshot your own vulnerability, frame it properly, and color-correct it, then it becomes something that every human can relate to. And I think Justin is in the place where he's mastering that right now.
– Pharrell Williams on the recording sessions forMan of the Woods, Timberlake's fifth studio album[135]
Speaking of his fifth studio album in 2016, Timberlake stated, "I think where I grew up in America has a lot of influence. Growing up in Tennessee—very central of the country—Memphis is known as the birthplace of rock & roll, but also the home of the blues, but Nashville's right down the street so there's a lot of country music."[136] In following interviews, Timberlake confirmed working with producersTimbaland andPharrell Williams,[137] while stating, "It sounds more like where I've come from than any other music I've ever made... It's Southern American music. But I want to make it sound modern – at least that's the idea right now."[138]
His fifth studio albumMan of the Woods was released on February 2, 2018,[139] two days before he headlined theSuper Bowl LII halftime show inMinneapolis,Minnesota on February 4, where Timberlake performed a medley of his songs featuring both the Tennessee Kids and theMinnesota Marching Band alongside him, as well as a duet of "I Would Die 4 U" with a video projection of late singerPrince on screen.[140] The show contained multiple selections fromMan of the Woods, which is named after his son Silas, whose name means "from the forest".[141] The album's first single, "Filthy", was released on January 5, along with its accompanying video directed byMark Romanek.[142] Theelectro-funk song[143] has reached number nine in the U.S.[144] and number 5 in Canada.[145] The songs "Supplies", "Say Something" featuringChris Stapleton and "Man of the Woods" were also released along with music videos ahead of the album.[146] His collaboration with Stapleton also reached the top 10 in the U.S. and Canada.[145][147]
Man of the Woods topped theBillboard 200 with the biggest first week sales of the year at the time, selling 293,000 total units.[148]Man of the Woods also marks Timberlake's fourth consecutive No. 1 album and has since been certifiedPlatinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).[149]Man of the Woods concluded 2018 as the sixth best-selling album of the year.[150] An accompanyingtour of the same name began on March 13, 2018, inToronto,Canada and concluded on April 13, 2019, inUncasville.[151]The Man of the Woods Tour was the sixth-highest-grossing tour of 2018.[152]
In September 2020, Timberlake and producer Timbaland teased a potential upcoming collaboration with Canadian musicianJustin Bieber, as well as collaborations withJustine Skye,Hit-Boy andTy Dolla Sign.[164][165] In December 2020, Timberlake andAnt Clemons released the single "Better Days", which received its premier on the Rock the Runoff virtual concert, held byStacey Abrams' organization Fair Fight.[166]
In January 2021, Timberlake performed as part of theinauguration of Joe Biden.[167][168] Performing from his hometown of Memphis, Timberlake performed his collaboration with Ant Clemons during theCelebrating America special.[169] Timberlake performed at Pharrell Williams' Something in the Water festival in Washington D.C., where he was joined on stage byT.I. andClipse for his five-song set.[170]
On January 19, 2024, Timberlake performed a free one-night-only concert at theOrpheum in Memphis where he live-debuted his new single "Selfish" after teasing a new project on social media in previous days.[181] In promotion of the record, on January 25, 2024, Timberlake appeared onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon; he announced the release of "Selfish" and revealed that the album had taken four years to produce.[182]
"Selfish" debuted at number 19 on theBillboard Hot 100, marking Timberlake's highest debut in six years on the chart. It became his 39th career solo entry on the Hot 100, and his 29th to reach the top 40.[183] On the release day of "Selfish", he also announced that his sixth studio album,Everything I Thought It Was, would be released in March 2024.[184][182] Timberlake appeared as a musical guest on the January 27, 2024, episode ofSaturday Night Live, singing "Selfish" and "Sanctified". On January 30, he appeared onThe Kelly Clarkson Show[185][186] and held an "intimate" concert atIrving Plaza inNew York City on January 31, his 43rd birthday.[187] He appeared as the musical guest, where he performed "Selfish" onThe Graham Norton Show recorded inLondon on February 22, 2024,[188] the night before he cancelledAOne Night Only concert, to be held at theRoundhouse, London, on February 23, 2024. Timberlake was recovering from an illness.[189][190] The promotional single "Drown" was released on February 23, 2024.[191][192][193] Timberlake also appeared onComplex NetworksSneaker Shopping on March 11, 2024, and mentioned the release of his new album at the end of the video.[194]
On March 13, 2024, in anticipation of the album release, Timberlake performed a one-off concert atThe Wiltern in Los Angeles. The show featured a surprise reunion with his NSYNC bandmates, with the group playing a medley of hits and the new album track “Paradise.” Timberlake then performed on NPR's Tiny Desk series on March 15 for a half-hour-long concert.[195] Timberlake also announced the release of a documentary showing the album's creation process.[196] The second single off the record, "No Angels", was released on March 15, 2024, the same day as the album's release.[197]Everything I Thought It Was debuted at number four on the U.S.Billboard 200, giving Timberlake his sixth consecutive top five album in the country.[198]
In April 2024, Timberlake opened theiHeartRadio Music Awards, performing both singles off the album, "Selfish" and "No Angels".[199] Timberlake also promoted the album onthe Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which began on April 29, 2024, inVancouver, Canada.[200] On February 23, 2024, Timberlake announced summer 2024 Europe tour dates.[201] In March 2024, prior to the tour launching, Trace William Cowen ofComplex reported that the Forget Tomorrow World Tour had become Timberlake's fastest selling tour to date. They stated that the tour had amassed over $140 million globally in initial ticket sales from over 70 dates and that more than one million attendees are expected. Cowen concluded that "Justin Timberlake's Forget Tomorrow World Tour Is Set to Become His Biggest Yet."[202] On May 20, 2024,Pollstar announced that nine additional shows were added due to "overwhelming demand" and reported that over 1 million tickets were already sold, becoming Timberlake's fastest selling tour to date.[203] The tour received generally positive reviews.[204]
Personal life
Relationships and children
In early 1999, Timberlake began dating fellow formerThe All New Mickey Mouse Club cast member and singerBritney Spears. Their relationship ended abruptly in March 2002.[205] Spears wrote in her 2023 memoirThe Woman in Me that she became pregnant during their relationship and had an abortion in late 2000 after Timberlake said they were not prepared for parenthood and he did not want to be a father.[206][207] In 2003, he briefly dated British singerEmma Bunton.[208][209][210] In April 2003, he began a relationship with actressCameron Diaz soon after they met at theNickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards. After much speculation of breakups throughout their relationship, the couple split in December 2006 shortly after she introduced him as a musical guest onSaturday Night Live.[211][212][213]
In January 2007, Timberlake began dating actressJessica Biel.[214] They became engaged in December 2011 and married on October 19, 2012, at the Borgo Egnazia resort inFasano,Italy.[215] Their first child, a son, was born in April 2015.[216][217][218] In July 2020, they had a second son.[219][220][221]
Legal issues
Shortly after midnight on June 18, 2024, Timberlake was arrested inSag Harbor, New York fordriving while intoxicated (DWI).[222][223] In addition to being charged with one count of DWI, Timberlake was issued two citations, one for running a stop sign and one for failure to keep in lane.[222] He was released nine hours later following his first arraignment at Sag Harbor Village Justice Court.[222] The Sag Harbor Police Department would later release his mugshot.[224] Timberlake was scheduled to return to court on July 26, 2024.[222][225] According to his arrest report, Timberlake alleged to authorities that he only had one martini shortly before he was pulled over.[226] Despite making this claim, Timberlake refused abreathalyzer.[226]
On June 22, 2024, bartender employees at the hotel where Timberlake was staying before his DWI arrest confirmed toPeople that he only had one martini while at the hotel bar.[225] One employee stating that “If he was drinking more, it wasn't here."[225] However, according to the arrest report, the officer who pulled Timberlake over after he drove through a stop sign and failed to keep on the right side of the road stated that his "eyes were bloodshot and glassy" at the time, and that "A strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath, he was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot, and he performed poorly on all standardized field sobriety tests."[225] During the stop, Timberlake reportedly said, "this is going to ruin the tour." The officer, who did not know who Timberlake was, asked "what tour?", to which he replied with "the world tour."[227][228][229] That exchange went viral, spawning several memes.[230][231][232] Despite the arrest, Timberlake still continued to perform concerts, including a concert in Chicago on June 21, 2024, where he appeared to address the arrest, saying "We've been through ups and downs and lefts and rights... It's been a tough week - but you're here, and I'm here...I know sometimes I'm hard to love, but you keep on loving me and I love you right back."[233][225]
Timberlake, who was performing overseas in Poland, would not attend his July 26, 2024, court arraignment, with his lawyer Edward Burke attending instead.[234] Despite Burke's arguments that Timberlake was not intoxicated at the time of his arrest, Sag Harbor Village Justice Carl Irace ordered for Timberlake to be re-arraigned on August 2.[235][236][234] For the August 2 arraignment, Timberlake, who was still on tour, appeared virtually from Antwerp, Belgium.[237] During this arraignment, Timberlake pled not guilty to a revised misdemeanor charge of driving drunk.[237] Irace also agreed to review Burke's motion to dismiss the DWI charge.[235] However, Timberlake's New York license was suspended by the judge for an indeterminate amount of time.[238]
Timberlake was scheduled to have another hearing on August 9, 2024.[237] In contrast to the August 2 hearing, Timberlake was not required to attend this court hearing.[239] On September 11, 2024, it was revealed that Timberlake would plead guilty to a less serious traffic offense during his September 13 court appearance, with the DWI charge being dropped.[240][241][242] Under his plea deal, Timberlake agreed to plead guilty to driving while impaired, a lesser offense which carries a penalty of a $300 to $500 fine and a 90-day driver license suspension.[243]
On September 13, 2024, during an in-person appearance at the Sag Harbor Village Justice Courthouse, Timberlake pled guilty to a noncriminal driving while impaired traffic violation.[244] Irace then sentenced Timberlake to a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge, 25 hours of community service at the nonprofit of his choosing and required him to make a public safety announcement.[245] It also revealed that Timberlake's refusal to take a breathlyzer automatically triggered a suspension of his driver's license under New York state law.[245]
Residences
In July 2002, Timberlake purchased a 13,250-square-foot (1,231 m2) mansion inHollywood Hills for $8.3 million fromHelen Hunt.[246] In 2010, Timberlake purchased a unit at 311 West Broadway inSoHo, formerly owned byOscar de la Renta, for $6.56 million. He sold the unit in 2018 for $6.35 million, incurring a loss.[247][248]
Forbes began reporting on Timberlake's earnings in 2008, calculating that he earned $44 million between June 2007 and June 2008 for his music, tour, commercials, and hospitality, making him the world's 4th best-paid music personality at the time, aboveMadonna andCeline Dion.[252] That year, he was ranked twelfth on theForbes Celebrity 100 list[253] and second on the "Best-Paid Celebrities Under 30" list.[254]
According toBillboard, Timberlake was the third highest-paid musician of 2013, with earnings of $31 million.[255] He was ranked 26th with earnings of $57 million on the Celebrity 100 list for 2014,[256] and 19th on the 2015 list with $63 million.[257] Timberlake was listed at number three on theBillboard Money-Makers List of 2014.[258]
He was ranked 41st on the 2019 Celebrity 100 list byForbes, with earnings of $57.5 million in 2019.[259]
Health
At the end of hisForget Tomorrow World Tour in July 2025, Timberlake stated he had been diagnosed withLyme disease. He shared, in an Instagram post, "When I first got the diagnosis I was shocked for sure. But, at least I could understand why I would be onstage and in a massive amount of nerve pain or, just feeling crazy fatigue or sickness. I was faced with a personal decision. Stop touring? Or, keep going and figure it out. I decided the joy that performing brings me far outweighs the fleeting stress my body was feeling. I'm so glad I kept going".[260][261]
Artistry
Timberlake has credited musicians such asMichael Jackson (left) andDavid Bowie (right) as his influences.
Timberlake possesses a lyrictenorvocal range.[262] He began includingbeatboxing in his records near the end of his boyband era and into his emergence as a solo act withJustified andFutureSex/LoveSounds.[263][264][265] Many of his songs draw from his personal life and relationships, such as "Cry Me a River" (about his breakup withBritney Spears).[266][267] Described by critics as a "consummate showman",[268][269] Timberlake usually plays guitar, piano and keyboard in his shows.[270]The New York Times' editor Katie Rogers highlighted Timberlake's crossover appeal after his performance withChris Stapleton at the2015 Country Music Association Awards.[271]
Timberlake's next album,The 20/20 Experience (2013) is a neo soul album partly inspired by the expansive song structures of 1960s and 1970s rock.[282] Mikael Wood of theLos Angeles Times found its elaborate structures ambitious in the vein of Stevie Wonder, Prince, and Michael Jackson.[283] He supported the album with a pair of tours:Legends of the Summer, which he co-headlined withJay-Z, andThe 20/20 Experience World Tour.[284][285] These tours introduced his backing ensemble, the Tennessee Kids, a 15-piece multi-instrumentalist throwback tobig band music.[286][287]
Public image
Timberlake's fashion and style evolution, from "boy-band synchronized wardrobe days" to "a notable source of fashion inspiration to men all over", has been noticed by the media.[288][289] As noted by aBillboard editor, "Since his solo career began with the 2002 release of debut albumJustified, Timberlake has honed his unique sense of style", while citingElvis Presley,Johnny Cash,Jerry Lee Lewis andFrank Sinatra as style influences: "guys who were just really never trying to be that [stylish], they just were that".[290] According to American fashion designerTom Ford, who has dressed Timberlake since 2011 and created more than 600 exclusive pieces forThe 20/20 Experience World Tour, Timberlake "has a kind of effortless cool that makes classic menswear tailoring modern".[291]
The New York Times' editor Sia Michel wrote in 2007, "Since his last tour, for 2002's multiplatinumJustified, he has learned how to project sex-symbol edge" adding "he's a rock star who can commit."[292][293]Napster's founderSean Parker, portrayed by Timberlake inThe Social Network, stated "I don't think I look anything like Timberlake, but it's not so bad being played by a sex symbol."[294] InNielsen Music's U.S. report for 2015, Timberlake led the "Top 10 Musicians AmongMillennials" list.[295] His high-profile relationships earned him the nickname "Trousersnake", a reference to his allegedly bigpenis.[296][297][298] Wax statues of Timberlake are on display at theMadame Tussauds wax museums in New York,[299] Las Vegas,[300] Hollywood,[301] Nashville,[302] Berlin,[303] Amsterdam,[304] and London.[305] His costume used in theSaturday Night Live skit "Dick in a Box" is displayed at "Saturday Night Live: The Exhibition" in New York.[306]
After New York legalizedsame-sex marriage in 2011, he voiced his support forLGBT equality in the U.S., stating, "We're people and we're different, all of us. And we should be using our differences to bring ourselves closer together."[307][308] Timberlake and his wifeJessica Biel received the Inspiration Award at theGLSEN Respect Awards in 2015, with the executive director saying, "They are two vocal and committedallies to the LGBT community who are also devoted to charitable works that improve the lives of youth."[307]
Timberlake's pronunciation of the word "me" on "It's Gonna Be Me" was popularized as aninternet meme titled "It's Gonna Be May", after aTumblr image of Timberlake was posted in 2012 with the respective caption.[309] The meme eventually became an annually recurring joke throughout the month of April,[310][311] which gained the attention ofBarack Obama and Timberlake himself.[312] Influenced by the national attention received by Timberlake's selfie inside avoting booth shared onInstagram during the 2016 presidential election, which was at the moment an illegal act,[313] SenatorBrian Kelsey ofGermantown, Tennessee brought up a bill that would allow taking photos in voting poll stations, with some exceptions against bad procedures. It was later approved by theTennessee Senate.[314]
In June 2021, Timberlake spoke out in support of Britney Spears during hercourt battle over her conservatorship. Timberlake wrote on his Twitter that "No woman should ever be restricted from making decisions about her own body [...] [Jessica Biel] and I send our love, and our absolute support to Britney during this time. We hope the courts, and her family make this right and let her live however she wants to live".[315]
Controversies
Following the release ofFraming Britney Spears, public attention was brought to old comments Timberlake made in 2002 to describe his relationship withBritney Spears following their breakup, with some considering them to contain misogynistic rhetoric.[316] It also led to renewed interest in his participation in theSuper Bowl XXXVIII halftime show controversy, where he exposedJanet Jackson's breast on live television. Following much public pressure, Timberlake issued a public apology on his Instagram page, writing he "benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism" and "I do not want to ever benefit from others being pulled down again." He finished by saying "I care deeply about the wellbeing of the people I love and have loved. I can do better and I will do better".[317]
Public scrutiny surrounding the Super Bowl XXXVIII incident was raised when a stylist alleged that the plan was originally for Timberlake to step on the back of Jackson's dress "to reveal her butt in this pearl g-string" but that he changed the plan to exposing her breast because he wanted a "reveal" to "one-up" Britney Spears' andMadonna's kiss at the2003 MTV Video Music Awards.[318][319][320] The claim that Timberlake wanted the breast reveal, however, is contradictory to a statement from Salli Frattini, the producer of the Halftime show, who stated in 2018 that the production team experimented with removing elements of clothing in rehearsal to reveal Jackson's skirt without nudity but that the idea was ultimately nixed. According to Frattini, it was Jackson's team who pitched the idea to Timberlake prior to the show that led to Jackson's breast being exposed.[321]
Legacy
Timberlake(center) andSteve Cropper performing at the White House, 2013, with PresidentBarack Obama on the left
Timberlake has been referred to as the "President of Pop"[322] and "Prince of Pop"[323] by contemporary journalists.[324] In a 2016 article ofThe Hollywood Reporter, editor Scott Feinberg stated Timberlake is "widely regarded as one of the greatest all-around entertainers in the history of show business".[325]
In 2003,Rolling Stone named him the biggest pop star of the year and featured him on the magazine's cover, declaring he was "The New King of Pop".[11] ForEntertainment Weekly his second studio album,FutureSex/LoveSounds, "redefined pop's cutting edge";[326] forVibe it "pushed boundaries more forcefully" than works by his male contemporaries.[327]Fuse TV's editor Jason Lipshutz stated it "changed the game. [The album] was steely and sweaty, a universal dance opus that made room for intimacy. It had the best first half of any pop album in 25 years. You have to go back to 1979 forOff the Wall, to find a pop album with a first half that matches up."[328] He was ranked 66th on theVH1 100 Greatest Artists of All-Time.[329] Timberlake appeared for the first time on theTime 100 list of most influential people byTime in 2007.[330] In 2013, he made his second appearance on the 100 list, withStevie Wonder writing "Justin has accomplished a lot at a young age, taking advantage of all the possibilities, and yet he's found time to give of himself too—he gets and gives back. He has a spirit. He does God's work through using the most of his talent."[331]
Justified's single "Cry Me a River" was ranked at number 20 onRolling Stone's 100 Best Songs of the 2000s, and one of their500 greatest songs of all time.[332][333]Billboard editor Jason Lipshutz named the song's music video "one of the more brilliant musical moments in pop music since the dawn of the century".[334] His second albumFutureSex/LoveSounds was placed at 46 onRolling Stone's 100 Best Albums of the 2000s,[335] the ninth best album of the decade forEntertainment Weekly,[326] and the greatest of the decade forVibe.[327] The lead single, "SexyBack", helped introduceEDM sounds totop 40 radio, as it brought together variations of electronic dance music with Timberlake's R&B tone.[336][337] Aside from earning critical acclaim for its parent album, Sia Michel ofThe New York Times noted that he was responsible for popularizing in 2006 the catchphrase "I'm bringing sexy back".[277][292][338]
According toBillboard,FutureSex/LoveShow was the third highest-grossing concert tour of 2007 and highest solo.[393]The 20/20 Experience World Tour was an international success and became Timberlake's most successful tour to date. The tour was the highest-grossing led by a solo artist in 2014, and one of thehighest-grossing tours of the decade.[394] For its associated album,The 20/20 Experience, Timberlake was named 2013 Artist of the Year with the top-selling album byiTunes' annual list of best-sellers.[395]
In the United States, five of Timberlake's singles have topped theBillboard Hot 100: "SexyBack", "My Love" and "What Goes Around... Comes Around", "Give It to Me" and "Can't Stop the Feeling!".[127] The latter became the 41st Hot 100 number one song to be nominated for anAcademy Award for Best Original Song.[396] He topped nineBillboard Year-End charts for 2013, includingBillboard 200 Artists[397] andBillboard 200 Albums.[398] For 2014, Timberlake was namedBillboard Top Male Artist.[399]Billboard published a list of "Greatest of All TimePop Songs Artists" in 2017, where Timberlake ranked at number 5, being the top male soloist.[400] The magazine also ranked him 25 on their "The Top 60 Male Artists of All-Time" list in 2018,[401] and 64th on "The Hot 100's Top Artists of All Time".[402] In 2019,Billboard ranked him 20th on their decade-end chart for "Top Artists" of the 2010s,[403] and 74th on "Top 125 Greatest of All Time Artists Chart".[404]
Other ventures
Business ventures
Timberlake has co-owned or provided celebrity endorsement for three restaurants in the United States: "Chi" opened inWest Hollywood, California in 2003,[405] and "Destino" and "Southern Hospitality" in New York opened in 2006 and 2007, respectively.[406] In 2005, Timberlake launched theWilliam Rast clothing line with childhood friend Juan ("Trace") Ayala. The 2007 line contained cord jackets, cashmere sweaters, jeans, and polo shirts.[407] The pair reports inspiration from fellow Memphis residentElvis Presley: "Elvis is the perfect mixture of Justin and I", Ayala says. "You can go back and see pictures of him in cowboy boots and a cowboy hat and a nice button-down shirt, but then again you can see him in a tux and a collared shirt with rhinestones on it and slacks. We like to think 'If he was alive today, what would he be wearing?'"[408] Target has announced that a William Rast collection, including denim, outerwear and sportswear for men and women, would launch in December and be available for a month.[409] In 2015, the clothing line earned him aLord & Taylor's Fashion Oracle Award at theFashion Group International'sNight of The Stars Gala.[410] An avid amateur golfer, in 2007 Timberlake purchased the run-down Big Creek Golf Course in his hometown of Millington, Tennessee, which he redeveloped as theeco-friendly Mirimichi Golf Course at the cost of around $US16 million. It was reopened on July 25, 2009, but closed again on January 15, 2010, for further improvements expected to take six months.[411] In October 2011, Timberlake received the Futures Award at theEnvironmental Media Awards for his green-conscious golf course.[412] It was reported on November 7, 2014, that Timberlake had sold Mirimichi to Three Star Leasing LLC for $500,000.[413] In October 2018, Timberlake andLevi's debuted their collaborative clothing line collection "Fresh Leaves".[414] In 2022, Justin Timberlake invested in Greenville, South Carolina par-3 golf course Greenville 3's.[415]
Timberlake provides celebrity endorsement for many commercial products, this aspect of his business being managed byIMG since April 2008.[416] Major endorsements in 2009 includedSony electronic products,[417]Givenchy's men's fragrance "Play",[418] theAudi A1,[419]Callaway Golf Company products,[420][421] and in 2011,Myspace.[422][423] In 2011, he teamed up withCapital One to announce the winners of the inaugural Capital One Cup, in a six-minute advert, where he is repeatedly getting hit in the groin.[424] In 2012, he hostedWalmart's annual shareholders meeting,[425] saying, "I buy a lot at Walmart."[426]
In 2014, Timberlake partnered withSauza Tequila to re-launch his own version of the beverage as part of the Sauza franchise: Sauza 901.[427] In 2016, he became an investor in the beverage companyBai Brands.[428] In 2017,Tiger Woods and Timberlake acquired an ownership stake in the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour.[429]
Timberlake is anAir Jordan brand ambassador. His first collection with the brand, the Legend of the Summer collection, debuted on the co-headliningtour of the same name with Jay-Z. These sneakers have gone on to resell for upwards of $10,000.[432] In the lead up to his 2018 Super Bowl Halftime Show, Timberlake worked with famedNike, Inc. designerTinker Hatfield to design his own version of the Air Jordan 3.[433] Timberlake debuted the shoe at the halftime show. Timberlake's performance was estimated to be worth $2.86 million in marketing for Nike, and is credited for reigniting interested in the Nike and Air Jordan brand.[434][435] Nike went on to release several colorways as part of the collaboration with Timberlake.[436][437]
In May 2022, Timberlake sold the rights to his entire musical catalog, around 200 songs he wrote or co-wrote, toHipgnosis Song Management for $100 million. The deal covers only pre-existing work, and not work he produces after the deal.[438][439]
Timberlake had an estimated net-worth of $250 million prior to the Hipgnosis deal, and is now estimated to be worth in excess of $350 million – making him one of the music industry's wealthiest solo performers.[440]
Philanthropy
Timberlake has been active in several charitable pursuits, initially through NSYNC's "Challenge for the Children" aimed at a range of charities, and since 2001 through his "Justin Timberlake Foundation", which initially funded music education programs in schools, but now has a much broader agenda.[441] In October 2005, the Grammy Association presented Timberlake with an award for his humanitarian efforts in Tennessee, alongside writer/directorCraig Brewer, also a Memphis native.[442]
On November 12, 2007, thePGA Tour announced that Timberlake, an avid golfer who plays to a sixhandicap,[445] would become the host of the tour'sLas Vegas tournament starting in 2008. With Timberlake's agreement to host the tournament, its name was changed to theJustin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He played in the celebrity pro-am on the day before the competitive tournament and hosted a charity concert during the week of the tournament.[446] The activity was a success and was repeated in 2009. A review of the value of celebrities to fundraising concluded that Timberlake's contribution to Shriners Hospitals for Children was the single most valuable celebrity endorsement in the U.S. during 2009, and worth over $US9 million.[447] However, in 2012, the event's chair Raoul Frevel told reporters Timberlake would no longer be involved in the event: "We tried everything we could to get him more involved with our kids and the hospitals. But it seemed that when the TV cameras weren't on, he disappeared."[448]
In late 2012, Timberlake and his wife Jessica Biel volunteered in Far Rockaway, Queens over the weekend afterHurricane Sandy. Joined by their friend Timbaland, the couple helped distribute backpacks of supplies to members of the community who were still struggling after the hurricane.[453]
Timberlake has donated items for auction for several charities, including byTen O'Clock Classics[454] andMusiCares.[455] In 2010, Timberlake participated in theHope for Haiti Now telethon performing "Hallelujah". The cover was made available for digital download with all proceeds donated to organizations doing relief work in Haiti.[456] In 2016, Timberlake was featured in a new version of "Where Is the Love?". The proceeds of the charity single will go to educational programs.[457] In 2017, Timberlake andEminem helped raise over $2 million forManchester Arena bombing victims.[458]
Book
Timberlake's autobiography,Hindsight & All the Things I Can't See In Front of Me,[459] was released on October 30, 2018.[460] The book covers some on and off camera candid images, the singer's early life and inspiration for songs. According to publisher HarperCollins,Hindsight includes a "collection of anecdotes, reflections, and observations on his life and work".[460]
^Corcoran, Monica (December 28, 2003)."Boîte; Where's Timberlake?".The New York Times.Archived from the original on December 19, 2014. RetrievedDecember 18, 2014.
