Justin Timberlake is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and actor born on January 31, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee.
He gained fame as a member of the boy band NSYNC and has since released six studio albums, including his latest album, Everything I Thought It Was, which was released on March 15, 2024.
The album has been well-received by fans, with a recent Billboard poll showing that fans voted it their favorite new music release by a wide margin.
The album features 18 tracks, including the already-released singles Selfish and Paradise, which is an NSYNC collaboration.
Timberlake will support the album with The Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which kicks off on April 29, 2024, in Vancouver, BC.
In addition to his music career, Timberlake has also made a name for himself as an actor, starring in movies such as The Social Network, In Time and the Trolls franchise.
He is married to actor Jessica Biel, and they have two children together.
Net worth | $250 million |
Date of birth | January 31, 1981 |
Profession | Singer, songwriter, record producer, actor |
Nationality | American |
Background
Timberlake’s parents are Charles Randall Timberlake, a church choir director, and Janet Lynn.
His love for music began at an early age, leading his mother to organize voice lessons for him and encourage his singing in church.
He made his television debut on Star Search at the age of 11 and later entered The All-New New Mickey Mouse Club, where he developed his acting, singing and comedic skills.
Timberlake gained fame as a member of the boy band NSYNC, which became one of the best-selling boy bands of all time.
After NSYNC’s disbandment in 2002, Timberlake released his first solo album, Justified, which was a massive success.
His second album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, released in 2006, received critical acclaim.
Timberlake took a break from music to focus on his acting career, returning to music in 2012.
His parents divorced when he was three, but he maintained a close relationship with his father.
Timberlake’s mother, a Baptist, encouraged his singing in church.Â
Net worth
Timberlake’s net worth is estimated to be $250 million.
His fortune is primarily attributed to his music career, where he rose to fame as a member of the boy band NSYNC before transitioning into a successful solo music career with hit albums and singles.
Additionally, Timberlake has ventured into acting, starring in various films and TV shows, which have contributed to his wealth.
Furthermore, he has diversified his income through business endeavors like his clothing line William Rast, his minority ownership of the Memphis Grizzlies and investments like his stake in Myspace.com
Memphis Grizzlies
Timberlake is a Memphis native and minority owner of the Memphis Grizzlies, an NBA team.
He became involved with the team in 2012 when tech entrepreneur Robert Pera purchased the team for $377 million.
Timberlake’s investment group, Tennman Sports, LLC, put $5 million towards the purchase, giving him a 2.84% ownership stake in the team.
Timberlake’s interest in the Grizzlies stems from both the opportunity to invest in a professional sports team and his personal connection to Memphis, where he was born and spent his childhood.
He has been a frequent courtside presence at Grizzlies games and has expressed his love for the city during various events, including his induction into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2015.
The Memphis Grizzlies welcomed Timberlake as sports’ next celebrity owner in 2012, recognizing his potential influence and support for the team.
Timberlake made an unannounced visit to Beale Street in 2019, further demonstrating his connection to the city.
In addition to his involvement with the Grizzlies, Timberlake has supported various Memphis music initiatives, including Stax Music Academy, and has been involved in Memphis-area projects such as buying the Mirimichi golf course and launching a liquor brand, 901 Silver Tequila, which was later purchased by Beam and its Sauza Tequila division.
Timberlake’s connection to Memphis and the Grizzlies has been a significant part of his career, and he continues to express his love for the city and its culture.
William Rast
Timberlake’s clothing line, William Rast, is a brand that combines the influences of country music and rock ‘n’ roll, reflecting the musical heritage of Memphis, Tennessee, where Timberlake grew up.
The name William Rast is a tribute to the grandfathers of Timberlake and his business partner, Trace Ayala.
The brand is known for its premium denim and has a focus on creating genuine, high-quality clothing that reflects the style of the two founders.
The brand has been relaunched in 2016, with a new collection that includes items such as caramel suede jackets, embroidered bombers, denim jackets, relaxed chinos, low-top kicks and mirrored sunglasses.
The brand is sold in department stores like Macy’s.
Catalog sale
Timberlake sold his entire song catalog to Hipgnosis Song Management, a Blackstone-backed management company, in a deal reportedly worth over $100 million.
This deal includes all copyrights on tracks he wrote and covers his publishing rights, but does not include songs he did not write, such as NSYNC hits like Bye Bye Bye.
Timberlake’s music collection spans over 20 years, from his time with NSYNC to his solo career.
Hipgnosis Song Management, founded by music manager Merck Mercuriadis, is known for acquiring deals from prominent singer-songwriters such as Neil Young, Lindsay Buckingham and Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The deal was finalized in May 2022.
This sale is part of a growing trend of megastars selling their music catalogs for significant sums, with artists like Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young and Stevie Nicks also making similar deals.
Real estate
Timberlake and his wife, Jessica Biel, have a substantial real estate portfolio, including several luxurious properties.
In Hollywood Hills, they owned a Spanish-style mansion spanning 13,530 square feet on over 10 acres of land.
The estate, which they listed for $35 million, boasts nine bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, a gourmet kitchen, gym, movie theater, tennis court, infinity pool and lush gardens.
In New York City, the couple owned a penthouse in Tribeca, a trendy and expensive neighborhood.
This 5,375 sq ft home had four bedrooms, six bathrooms, a 71-foot indoor swimming pool, a children’s playroom and a landscaped roof terrace.
They sold this property for $29 million.
Before the Tribeca penthouse, they owned a penthouse in Soho Mews, Lower Manhattan.
This property, which was sold for $6.35 million after being listed for nearly $8 million, featured four bedrooms, six bathrooms and a 1,500 sq ft terrace.
The couple also owns a “ski home” in Montana, where they spent a significant amount of time during the lockdown.
Additionally, Timberlake listed a 127-acre property in Franklin, Tennessee, for $10 million.
This country estate features horse trails, pastures, and is located about 20 miles from Nashville.
Their real estate ventures have been marked by significant profits, strategic acquisitions and a shift towards a more outdoorsy lifestyle, particularly in Montana and Tennessee.
N’SYNC
Timberlake began his career as a member of the boy band NSYNC, which was formed in 1995 and went on to become one of the best-selling boy bands of all time with sales of over 70 million units worldwide.
Timberlake and Chasez served as the two lead singers for the group, which released four commercially successful studio albums and spawned top-five singles such as Bye Bye Bye, Girlfriend and This I Promise You.
NSYNC’s second and third studio albums, No Strings Attached and Celebrity, sold 2.4 million copies and 5 million copies, respectively, in their first week of release.
Timberlake’s solo career began in 2002.
Solo career
In 2002, Timberlake released his debut solo album, Justified, which marked a departure from NSYNC’s pop sound, incorporating elements of R&B, hip-hop and funk.
The album was a critical and commercial success, selling over 10 million copies in the United States alone and winning the Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.
Timberlake’s solo career was off to a strong start, and he continued to release successful albums and singles in the years that followed.
In 2006, Timberlake released his second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, which marked a departure from the sound of his debut album, incorporating electronic and futuristic elements.
The lead single, SexyBack, was a massive hit and became a cultural phenomenon.
The album went on to win multiple awards and cemented Timberlake’s status as a solo superstar.
In addition to his solo work, Timberlake has also collaborated with a variety of artists throughout his career, including Madonna, Beyoncé and Jay-Z.
He has also contributed to several movie soundtracks, including Trolls and The Social Network.
These collaborations and soundtrack contributions have allowed Timberlake to explore different genres and styles, further expanding his musical repertoire.
After a brief hiatus from music, Justin Timberlake returned to the pop scene with his 2018 album Man of the Woods.
The album showcased a more mature and introspective side of Timberlake, with themes of love, family and nature woven throughout the tracks.
While some fans were surprised by the departure from his previous pop sound, the album still received critical acclaim and debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart.
Acting career
Timberlake began his acting career with a minor role in the film Model Behavior (2000), where he played a pop star.
However, his breakthrough role came in 2004 when he starred alongside Mila Kunis in the romantic comedy The Love Guru (2008).
Although the film received mixed reviews, Timberlake’s performance was praised by critics.
In 2010, Timberlake played the role of Napster co-founder Sean Parker in the critically acclaimed film, The Social Network (2010).
His portrayal of Parker was widely acclaimed, and he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2011, Timberlake starred alongside Mila Kunis, Patricia Clarkson, and Woody Harrelson in the romantic comedy Friends with Benefits (2011).
The film was a commercial success and received positive reviews from critics.
In 2012, Timberlake played a supporting role in the drama Trouble with the Curve (2012), alongside Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams and John Goodman.
The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success.
In 2013, Timberlake starred in the science fiction thriller In Time (2011), alongside Amanda Seyfried, Cillian Murphy and Olivia Wilde.
The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success.
In 2016, Timberlake starred in the drama The Girl on the Train (2016), alongside Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson and Haley Bennett.
The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success.
In 2017, Timberlake starred in the animated film Trolls (2016), alongside Anna Kendrick, Zooey Deschanel and Gwen Stefani.
The film received positive reviews from critics and was a commercial success.
In 2018, Timberlake starred in the crime drama Wonder Wheel (2017), alongside Kate Winslet, Juno Temple and Jim Belushi.
The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success.
In 2020, Timberlake starred in the animated film Trolls World Tour (2020), alongside Anna Kendrick, James Corden and Rachel Bloom.
The film received mixed reviews from critics but was a commercial success.
Timberlake’s acting career has been marked by his versatility and willingness to take on diverse roles.
He has received critical acclaim for his performances in films like The Social Network (2010) and Trolls (2016), and has established himself as a talented actor in addition to his successful music career.
Awards
Timberlake is a highly acclaimed artist, having won a total of 28 awards and receiving 84 nominations throughout his career.
He has received ten Grammy Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, three Brit Awards and nine Billboard Music Awards, among others.
Timberlake’s debut solo album, Justified, released in 2002, marked his first significant step into the music industry as a solo artist.
It yielded his first solo hit singles, Cry Me a River and Rock Your Body and established him as a successful solo artist.
His second album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, released in 2006, further solidified his position in the industry.
His work has significantly influenced numerous artists, including Justin Bieber, Shawn Mendes, Olly Murs, Maroon 5, Britney Spears, Lorde, Joe Jonas, Thomas Rhett, Ed Sheeran, Jason Derulo, Tori Kelly, Liam Payne, Bridgit Mendler, Hunter Hayes, BoA, Seungri, Taeyang, Rain, Lloyd Banks, Maluma, RosalÃa and Jungkook.
Timberlake has also won four Emmy Awards, twice for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics and twice for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series.
He has been recognized for his work on Saturday Night Live, both as a host and a musical guest.
Philanthropic works
Timberlake has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, supporting charitable causes and organizations over the years.
He has donated an item to watchmaker Nixon, with proceeds benefiting the MusiCares MAP Fund to address addiction and recovery needs in the music community.
Timberlake also teamed up with REM’s Michael Stipe for a charity single to aid Hurricane Katrina victims, with proceeds benefiting Mercy Corps.
He received the Big Help award for his charity work at the 2011 Kids’ Choice Awards. Timberlake supports charities such as Cancer Research Institute, Childwatch, GLSEN, Habitat For Humanity, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Mercy Corps and many more.
During the global coronavirus pandemic, he donated to the Mid-South Food Bank to help local communities in Memphis.
Personal life
Timberlake and Jessica Biel have been married since 2012 and share two children, Silas and Phineas.
The couple is known for keeping their children out of the spotlight, but they occasionally share rare family photos on social media.
Silas was born in April 2015 and his name, Silas Randall Timberlake, is a combination of Timberlake’s middle name and his father’s first name.
Phineas Timberlake was born during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and his birth was kept secret until January 2021, when Timberlake confirmed the news on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
The couple is known for keeping their children out of the spotlight, but they occasionally share rare family photos on social media.
In March 2023, Timberlake posted a montage of heartwarming family moments on wife Jessica Biel’s birthday, including rare images of their sons Silas and Phineas.
Timberlake has also opened up about the challenges of parenting, saying that 24-hour parenting is not human and that he and Biel were having trouble quarantining with Silas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, he has also expressed gratitude for his family, saying that it is the biggest joy ever.
Controversies
Timberlake has been involved in several controversies throughout his career.
Some of the key controversies include the drama surrounding his relationship with Britney Spears, the infamous Super Bowl Nipplegate incident with Janet Jackson, cheating scandals such as reportedly having a fling with Olivia Munn while in a relationship with Jessica Biel, allegations of encouraging Britney Spears to have an abortion and accusations of cultural appropriation for his actions and interactions with artists like Ginuwine.