Justin Timberlake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Justin Timberlake
Timberlake in 2016
Born	Justin Randall Timberlake (1981-01-31) January 31, 1981 (age 45) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Other names	JT
Occupation	Singer songwriter dancer actor record producer
Years active	1992–present
Agent	Johnny Wright
Works	Discography live performances production videography
Spouse(s)	Jessica Biel ​ (m. 2012)​
Children	2
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	Pop R&B dance soul
Instruments	Vocals guitar keyboards
Labels	Jive Zomba RCA Tennman
Signature

Justin Randall Timberlake (born January 31, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and dancer. Many call him the "Prince of Pop" because he is one of the world's best-selling music artists. Billboard magazine even named him one of the greatest pop stars of the 21st century. He has won many awards, including ten Grammy Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, and the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award from MTV.

Justin grew up in Memphis, Tennessee. As a child, he appeared on TV music shows. In the early 1990s, he was a cast member on the Disney Channel's The All New Mickey Mouse Club. There, he sang, acted in skits, and learned dance moves. He met his future bandmate JC Chasez on the show. Later, they became the lead singers of the famous pop boy band NSYNC. The group released four very successful albums. They sold over 70 million records worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling boy bands ever.

Justin's first two solo albums, Justified (2002) and FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006), each sold over 10 million copies. FutureSex/LoveSounds was his first album to reach number one on the US Billboard 200 chart. His next three albums also topped the charts: The 20/20 Experience, The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (both 2013), and Man of the Woods (2018). The 20/20 Experience became the best-selling album of its year. Some of his most popular songs include "Cry Me a River", "Rock Your Body", "Mirrors", and "Can't Stop the Feeling!". The song "Can't Stop the Feeling!" even earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Justin also became very popular through his acting career. He starred in films like The Social Network (2010), Bad Teacher (2011), and Friends with Benefits (2011). He also lent his voice to animated characters. He was Artie in Shrek the Third (2007), Boo-Boo Bear in Yogi Bear (2010), and Branch in the Trolls movies since 2016. He often works with talented music producers like The Neptunes and Timbaland. They helped him launch his successful solo music career.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Justin Randall Timberlake was born on January 31, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee. His mother is Janet Lynn Harless, and his father is Charles Randall Timberlake. His father was a church choir director. Justin has two half-brothers, Jonathan and Stephen.

Music was always a big part of his family. His grandfather introduced him to country artists like Johnny Cash. As a child, Justin sang country and gospel music. At age 11, he appeared on the TV show Star Search as "Justin Randall." He also started listening to R&B musicians from the 1960s and 70s, such as Al Green and Stevie Wonder.

From 1993 to 1995, Justin was a Mouseketeer on The All New Mickey Mouse Club. His castmates included future stars like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, JC Chasez, Ryan Gosling, and Keri Russell. In 1995, Justin and JC Chasez joined an all-male singing group. This group was put together by Chris Kirkpatrick and became NSYNC.

Music Career Highlights

NSYNC: Boy Band Stardom (1995–2002)

The boy band NSYNC formed in 1995. They began recording and performing in Europe in 1996. Justin and JC Chasez were the two lead singers. In 1998, the group became very popular in the United States. Their first album, NSYNC, sold 11 million copies. It included the hit song "Tearin' Up My Heart."

The group later signed with Jive Records. Their third album, No Strings Attached (2000), sold 2.4 million copies in its first week. This made it the fastest-selling album of all time for a while. It featured number one singles like "It's Gonna Be Me" and "Bye Bye Bye." NSYNC's fourth album, Celebrity (2001), was also very successful. After their Celebrity Tour, the group decided to take a break in 2002. NSYNC performed at big events like the Academy Awards and the Super Bowl XXXV halftime show. The band sold over 70 million records worldwide.

As Justin's own popularity grew, and boy bands became less popular, NSYNC eventually went their separate ways. Justin started working on new music with producers Pharrell Williams and Timbaland. He felt confident to start a solo career.

Solo Success: Justified and FutureSex/LoveSounds (2002–2007)

Justin released his first solo album, Justified, in 2002. It was a huge hit. The album sold 684,000 copies in its first week. It featured popular songs like "My Love" and "What Goes Around... Comes Around."

Justin also hosted many music events, including the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards. He hosted Saturday Night Live twice, performing as the musical guest too. In January 2007, Justin started his FutureSex/LoveShow tour. The album FutureSex/LoveSounds was later added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's musical library.

Acting Focus and Collaborations (2008–2012)

After his FutureSex/LoveSounds tour ended in 2007, Justin focused more on his acting career. He starred in comedies like The Love Guru (2008). He also played Sean Parker in the acclaimed film The Social Network (2010). He voiced Boo-Boo Bear in the movie Yogi Bear (2010).

Justin continued to collaborate on music. He worked with Madonna on her song "4 Minutes" in 2008. He also teamed up with T.I. for the song "Dead and Gone." Justin also worked with Timbaland on "Carry Out." He was an executive producer for the MTV reality series The Phone.

In 2011, he starred with Cameron Diaz in Bad Teacher and with Mila Kunis in Friends with Benefits. He also played the main character, Will Salas, in the science fiction film In Time. Justin often appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon for popular sketches like "History of Rap."

The 20/20 Experience and Trolls Success (2013–2017)

Justin began working on his third album, The 20/20 Experience, in 2012. He announced his return to music in January 2013. The album's first single, "Suit & Tie" featuring Jay-Z, was released that month. It reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Justin performed at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards with Jay-Z.

"Mirrors" was the second single and reached number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The 20/20 Experience was released on March 19, 2013. It set a record for being the fastest-selling album on the iTunes Store. It debuted at number one and became the best-selling album of 2013 in the U.S.

Justin performed at the White House for President Barack Obama. He then announced The 20/20 Experience World Tour. He also toured with Jay-Z on the Legends of the Summer Stadium Tour. At the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, Justin received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. He also won Video of the Year for "Mirrors." During his performance, he had a brief reunion with his former NSYNC bandmates.

His fourth album, The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2, was released in September 2013. It also debuted at number one. Justin won three Grammy Awards at the 57th Annual Grammy Awards. In 2014, he appeared on Michael Jackson's posthumous record, Xscape, on the song "Love Never Felt So Good."

In 2016, Justin voiced the main character, Branch, in DreamWorks Animation's musical comedy Trolls. He also worked as the executive music producer for the film. He performed original music for the soundtrack. The lead single, "Can't Stop the Feeling!", was released in May 2016. It debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. It became the best-selling song of the year in the U.S. In 2017, Justin starred with Kate Winslet in the film Wonder Wheel. He also returned for the Trolls sequels, Trolls: World Tour (2020) and Trolls: Band Together (2023).

Man of the Woods and Recent Projects (2018–Present)

Justin's fifth album, Man of the Woods, was released on February 2, 2018. Two days later, he headlined the Super Bowl LII halftime show in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He performed a mix of his songs with the Tennessee Kids and the Minnesota Marching Band. The album's first single, "Filthy", was released in January.

Man of the Woods topped the Billboard 200. It was Justin's fourth number one album in a row. The album was certified Platinum. He then went on The Man of the Woods Tour, which was one of the highest-grossing tours of 2018. In May 2019, Justin received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music.

In 2020, Justin released "The Other Side" with SZA for the Trolls World Tour soundtrack. He also released "Don't Slack" with Anderson .Paak for the same soundtrack. In December 2020, Justin and Ant Clemons released the single "Better Days." In January 2021, Justin performed this song during the inauguration of Joe Biden.

In May 2023, his longtime producer Timbaland shared that Justin's sixth album was finished. In September 2023, Justin reunited with NSYNC to release "Better Place" for the Trolls Band Together soundtrack.

On January 19, 2024, Justin performed a concert in Memphis. He debuted his new single "Selfish." He announced that his sixth album, Everything I Thought It Was, would be released in March 2024. "Selfish" debuted at number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album Everything I Thought It Was debuted at number four on the U.S. Billboard 200.

In April 2024, Justin opened the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards. He performed songs from his new album. He also started the Forget Tomorrow World Tour on April 29, 2024. This tour became his fastest-selling tour ever, with over 1 million tickets sold. In January 2026, Justin performed a tribute to Pharrell Williams at the Recording Academy Honours.

Personal Life and Family

In January 2007, Justin began dating actress Jessica Biel. They got engaged in December 2011 and married on October 19, 2012, in Italy. They have two sons. Their first son was born in April 2015, and their second son was born in July 2020.

Health Journey

At the end of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour in July 2025, Justin shared that he had been diagnosed with Lyme disease. He explained that he experienced nerve pain and fatigue. He decided to continue performing because the joy it brought him was more important than the challenges.

Artistry and Influences

Justin Timberlake has a tenor vocal range. He often includes beatboxing in his music. Many of his songs are inspired by his personal life and relationships. Critics describe him as a "consummate showman." He often plays guitar, piano, and keyboard during his shows.

His first solo album, Justified (2002), was mainly R&B. It also had influences from dance-pop, funk, and soul. Justin said it was inspired by Michael Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

His second album, FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006), explored a wider range of sounds. It included elements of rap, rock, funk, soul, and new wave. Justin mentioned David Bowie and Prince as inspirations for this album.

Justin's album The 20/20 Experience (2013) is a neo-soul album. It was partly inspired by the long song structures of 1960s and 1970s rock music. He toured with his backing band, the Tennessee Kids, a 15-piece group that brought a big band feel to his shows.

Legacy and Impact

Justin Timberlake is often called the "Prince of Pop" by journalists. The Hollywood Reporter called him "one of the greatest all-around entertainers in the history of show business."

Rolling Stone magazine named him the biggest pop star of 2003. His album FutureSex/LoveSounds was praised for redefining pop music. It introduced EDM sounds to pop radio. Justin has been ranked among the greatest artists of all time by various music publications.

His work has inspired many other artists. These include Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Olly Murs, Maroon 5, and Ed Sheeran. Many see him as a role model for successfully transitioning from a boy band to a solo career. Critics often consider Justified the standard for post-boy-band solo albums.

Achievements and Awards

Justin Timberlake has sold over 32 million albums and 56 million singles worldwide as a solo artist. With NSYNC, he sold another 70 million records. This makes him one of the world's best-selling music artists.

He has won ten Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, seven American Music Awards, and eleven MTV Video Music Awards. His Grammy wins cover pop, dance, and R&B music. He received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award in 2013. In 2016, he received the inaugural Decade Award at the Teen Choice Awards.

In October 2015, Justin was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. He was its youngest member. In 2018, he reunited with NSYNC to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2019, he received a Contemporary Icon Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

All five of Justin's albums have been certified platinum or better. His tours have also been very successful. FutureSex/LoveShow was the highest-grossing solo tour of 2007. The 20/20 Experience World Tour was his most successful tour to date.

In the United States, five of Justin's singles have topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Billboard has ranked him as a top male artist and pop artist of all time.

Other Ventures

Business and Endorsements

Justin has been involved in several businesses. He co-owned restaurants like "Southern Hospitality" in New York. In 2005, he launched the William Rast clothing line with his childhood friend Juan ("Trace") Ayala. They were inspired by Elvis Presley's style. This clothing line earned him a Fashion Oracle Award in 2015.

Justin is an avid golfer. In 2007, he bought and redeveloped a golf course in his hometown, making it eco-friendly. He also provides celebrity endorsements for many products. These include Sony electronics, Givenchy fragrances, and Callaway Golf Company products. In 2014, he partnered with Sauza Tequila to launch his own version of the drink. He is also a minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies basketball team.

Justin is an Air Jordan brand ambassador. He has collaborated with Nike, Inc. designer Tinker Hatfield to create his own Air Jordan shoes. In May 2022, Justin sold the rights to his entire musical catalog, about 200 songs, for $100 million. He is estimated to be worth over $350 million.

Giving Back: Philanthropy

Justin is very active in charity work. He started the "Justin Timberlake Foundation" in 2001. It first supported music education in schools and now helps many different causes. In 2005, he received an award for his humanitarian efforts in Tennessee.

He has donated large amounts to charities like Wildlife Warriors and the Memphis Music Foundation. From 2008 to 2011, he hosted the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open golf tournament. This event raised money for children's hospitals.

Justin often participates in celebrity golf tournaments that raise money for nonprofits. In 2010, he performed "Hallelujah" for the Hope for Haiti Now telethon. All proceeds went to Haiti relief efforts. In 2016, he was featured in a new version of "Where Is the Love?" to support educational programs. In 2017, he helped raise over $2 million for victims of the Manchester Arena bombing.

His Book

Justin's autobiography, Hindsight & All the Things I Can't See In Front of Me, was released on October 30, 2018. The book shares stories, reflections, and photos from his life and career.

Discography

Studio albums

• Justified (2002)
• FutureSex/LoveSounds (2006)
• The 20/20 Experience (2013)
• The 20/20 Experience – 2 of 2 (2013)
• Man of the Woods (2018)
• Everything I Thought It Was (2024)

Filmography

Films starred

Tours

Headlining tours

• The Justified World Tour (2003–2004)
• FutureSex/LoveShow (2007)
• The 20/20 Experience World Tour (2013–2015)
• The Man of the Woods Tour (2018–2019)
• The Forget Tomorrow World Tour (2024–2025)

See also

In Spanish: Justin Timberlake para niños