By HILLARY KELLEY
Features Editor
Once a member of the boy band sensation N*Sync, Justin Timberlake has become a star in his own right, releasing his newest album, “The 20/20 Experience” earlier this year.
Though many remember him as the Ramen noodle-headed, denim suit-wearing, high pitch-voiced pop star, Timberlake is well on his way to becoming his own brand.
The story of how he got to this level is a bit of a whirlwind. It all began with his performance debut as a member of The New Mickey Mouse Club. Flash forward to 1996, when the creation of N*Sync launched the mass plastering of Timberlake posters on the walls of young girls and the eventual pairing of Timberlake and former Mouseketeers mate, Britney Spears.
When the band split, Timberlake and Spears also called it quits, but this gave him the opportunity to go solo and use his breakup from Spears to pen the single “Cry Me A River.”
Since then, Timberlake has released three solo albums. Between the first two, “Justified” and “FutureSex/LoveSounds,” and this new release, Timberlake focused on his acting career.
Though his shift into the film business didn’t come as a much of a shock, fans of his music were left to wait until the day Timberlake would bring sexy back to the music world once again.
His film credits include: “The Social Network,” “In Time,” “Bad Teacher,” “Friends with Benefits,” “Trouble with the Curve” and vocal acting for “Shrek the Third.”
He has also created quite a name for himself in the world of comedy, hosting “Saturday Night Live” five times, as well as being the show’s musical guest many times. In fact, Timberlake’s enthusiasm for television appearances and comedy helped forge a bromance with former SNL member and host of “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” Jimmy Fallon.
Fallon has even dubbed part of 2013 “Timberweek,” where Timberlake has appeared as either the celebrity guest or musical guest on the show for an entire week to promote “The 20/20 Experience.”
This album was written, performed and produced in only 20 days, a feat many well-grounded musicians would never even attempt. The tracks average around seven minutes and include sweet serenades written with Timberlake’s wife, actress Jessica Biel, in mind and beat-heavy, smooth-grooving rhythms that bring sexy back to a whole new level.
There’s no doubt that Timberlake is creating an empire with his powerhouse of talent, and fans can look forward to the release of part two of the “20/20 Experience” later this year.
We’re glad you’re back, Justin, and we’re liking the new hair.