Timberlake, Justin Randall (1981– )

US pop singer and songwriter. He rose to stardom as a member of the pop group ∗NSYNC, one of the most successful boy bands of the 1990s. He launched an equally successful solo career in 2002 with the album Justified, featuring the hit singles ‘Like I Love You’, ‘Cry Me A River’, and ‘Rock Your Body’.

∗NSYNC formed in 1997 with Timberlake, Chris Kirkpatrick (1971– ), Joshua ‘JC’ Chasez (1976– ), Joey Fatone (1977– ), and Lance Bass (1979– ). Their albums included the self-titled ∗NSYNC (1998), No Strings Attached (2000), and Celebrity (2001). Timberlake's debut solo album, which he co-wrote with influential producers such as the Neptunes, featured more mature lyrics and hip hop and dance beats, drawing inspiration from the mid-1980s output of US singer Michael Jackson. He followed with the chart-topping album FutureSex/Love Sounds (2006), featuring the hit singles ‘SexyBack’, ‘My Love’, and ‘What Goes Aroundwill’.

Timberlake was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He won the Preteen Mr America pageant in 1991. He made his first television appearance at the age of 11 on the popular talent show Star Search, singing country music. He was a regular on Disney's children's television series The Mickey Mouse Club 1993–94 with other future pop stars, including fellow ∗NSYNC band member JC Chasez, Christina Aguilera, and Britney Spears.