Justin Randal Timberlake is an American musician, actor, and writer with a tremendous career. Born on January 31, 1981, the superstar is famous for his dancing skills, short curly hair, and energetic stage performances.
While the “What Goes Around, Comes Around” hit singer continues to reign, here are some more amazing Justin Timberlake facts.
1. He Was A Member of NSYNC
Before going solo, Justin Timberlake was a member of the formidable boy band group NSYNC. Interestingly, the group started in 1995 when Justin was only 14. JC Chasez, Joey Fatone, Chris Kirkpatrick, and Lance Bass were the other members.
They went on to create magical songs such as Bye Bye Bye, God Must Have Spent a Little More Time on You, and I Want You Back.
2. He Has His Fears
Like other humans, Justin Timberlake has his fears and is not shy to tell them. In an interview, he confessed that he fears snakes, sharks, dying unloved, stuffed animals, and spiders.
3. Justin Timberlake Is a Friend of Coldplay’s Chris Martin
Chris Martin is one of the UK’s and the World’s most popular and distinctive singers. He is the lead singer and songwriter of the Coldplay band, popular for releasing hits such as Viva la Vida, Clocks, and Paradise. While touring London, Justin Timberlake and Chris Martin met, immediately striking a friendship. In 2003, Timberlake introduced Coldplay on stage, calling them the greatest band in the world.
4. He Has Dated Several High Profile Women
There are unconfirmed rumors that Justin Timberlake dated Rihanna, Beyonce, and Alicia Keys. However, his relationship with Mariah Carey is undisputed. The two dated between 1998 and 2002. Timberlake settled with his wife Jessica Biel, an American actress and producer, with whom they have two sons.
5. He Is A Serial Grammy Award Winner
Justin Timberlake is a serial Grammy Awards winner, scooping 10 of 39 nominations. He was first nominated in 1999 when he was still a member of NSYNC. However, his first wins came in 2003 when he won the best album (Justified) and the best male performance for his hit Cry Me A River.
Other awards include 9 Billboard Music Awards, 3 Brit Awards, and a Michael Jackson Video Vanguard. Billboard rates him as the best overall performing male soloist since the inception of the Mainstream Top 40.
6. Justin Timberlake Once Broke His Thumb While Performing On Stage
In 1997, Justin Timberlake was performing on stage when he slipped on a puddle of water and broke his thumb. Interestingly, the water formed due to the audience being sprayed down amid the extreme temperatures to help them cool down.
7. He Is Also An Actor
Many musicians have tried their hand at acting and starred well; Justin Timberlake is no different. If anything, he was an actor before he became a musician and continued long after he stopped releasing music. Some films he has appeared in include Friends with Benefits, Palmer, and Netflix’s Palmer, released in 2023.
8. Justin Timberlake Was Paid $6 Million By McDonald’s For an Advert
Justin Timberlake voices the phrase “I’m Lovin’ It” in MacDonald’s marketing campaign. He also sang ba-da-ba-ba-bah in the same project.
9. He Tore Janet Jackson’s Top On Stage
In the infamous “nipple gate” wardrobe malfunction, Justin Timberlake tore Janet Jackson’s top while they were performing on stage. As a result, Janet Jackson was subsequently banned from MTV, VH1, and Grammys. Interestingly, Timberlake was not. It’s also from this experience that the phrase “wardrobe malfunction” gained popularity.
10. Justin Timberlake Recorded Guest Spots on The Simpsons
Besides acting and singing, Justin Timberlake recorded some guest spots on The Simpsons, a satirical comedy series detailing the general life of Americans. In one episode, the star complained about a line in his script that had the word “word.” He said that it didn’t sound authentic.
As a prank, the crew edited a dialogue in the production so that every line ended with “Word.” This trended worldwide.
11. He Once Attended a Comic Con Event Unnoticed
Most celebrities dread attending public events uninvited. In order to attend the Comic Con event, Justin Timberlake dressed in an Ernie costume and went completely unnoticed. He later commented that it was the first time he attended a public gathering freely in about a decade.
12. Justin Timberlake Was Not Credited for His Role In Black Eyed Peas’ Where Is The Love
Black Eyed Peas’ hit song Where Is The Love was released on May 12, 2003. It immediately became a worldwide sensation, with millions of people singing to the tune. However, not many people know Justin Timberlake co-wrote the song and even has his vocals on it because he was not credited.
13. He Bought Myspace in 2011
Myspace was among the first social media platforms; it rocked in the 2000s. By 2009, the company had about 1,600 employees— it seemed destined for greatness. In June 2011, Justin Timberlake and Specific Media Group teamed up to buy the entity at approximately $35 million. It was later bought by Time Inc. in 2016 at $87 million.
14. Justin Timberlake Suffers From Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania is a condition where the patient suffers from an uncontrollable urge to pull their hair. It is believed that Justin Timberlake is among the musicians and other celebrities who suffer from this, and it was caused by his admitted Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).
