In light of Justin Timberlake’s much anticipated return with the release of his third solo album ‘The 20/20 Experience’ this week after 5 years away from the music scene, I thought I would dedicate this blog to looking at his transformation over the years and the journey he has taken from being a ‘Mouseketeer’ to the suave, sophisticated married man that we see today.
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1989-1994
The early 90s was where it all began for Justin Timberlake as he joined the cast of the Mickey Mouse Club at the age of 8. You may recognise a few of his fellow Mouseketeers in this photo such as Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Ryan Gosling!
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1995-2002
After his 5 years at the Mickey Mouse Club, Timberlake joined the boyband ‘NSync along with members JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone and Lance Bass. They got their name after Timberlake’s mother said how ‘in sync’ their voices were along with using the last letter of each member’s first names: JustiN, ChriS, JoeY, JasoN and JC. This was the period of Timberlake’s iconic blonde curly hair… I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions…
Their first album *NSYNC wasn’t a huge success from the start, with sales starting off slowly, and it was only really after their second album No Strings Attached featuring Bye Bye Bye that the band achieved their worldwide fame when the album became the best-selling album of the decade. This was then followed by Celebrity in 2001 featuring Pop and Girlfriend which proved to be their last album before they split up in 2002.
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1999-2002
For three years towards the end of NSync’s reign, Timberlake coupled up with fellow Mouseketeer Britney Spears to become the ‘it’ couple of the early 2000s, although this ended along with the band in 2002…
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2002
2002 was when we saw the beginning of a new Justin Timberlake where he not only went solo in his love life but also began his solo career with the release of his first solo album Justified. This album sold 7 million copies and featured the iconic chilled R&B/Hip Hop song Cry Me A River which is still a massive tune 11 years on.
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2003-2007
For the next three years Timberlake went out with Cameron Diaz (WOW) before they split in 2006. However, after filming Bad Teacher together in 2011 Diaz was reported to have said she will always love Timberlake in many ways… watch out Jessica Biel! Then, in 2007 he was reportedly involved with Scarlett Johansson. Not bad Justin, not bad at all…
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2006
In 2006, Timberlake released his second solo album FutureSex/LoveSounds which featured many R&B/HipHop infused songs such as My Love, What Goes Around…Comes Around and Sexy Back. It has gone platinum in several countries, was nominated for two Grammys and sold over 10 million copies worldwide. It is here that we start to see Timberlake lose the rugged, leather jacket look in replacement for his iconic suited and booted look.
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2008-2011
After the huge success of this album, Timberlake decided to take a break away from the music scene. Having been a big golfing fan for many years, in 2009 he actually designed his own golf course in Tennessee. Then, in 2010/2011 he concentrated on his acting career and took on roles in The Social Network, In Time, Bad Teacher and Friends With Benefits, all of which were very successful films.
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2012
After dating for four years, Timberlake married Jessica Biel at the end of 2012 in Italy. Awwhhh!
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Today
Now that it seems Justin Timberlake has the perfect life with a well established acting career under his belt along with finally settling down with Jessica Biel and beginning married life, he is returning to what he loves most: music.
His third album, The 20/20 Experience, produced with long-time associate Timbaland promises to be another great album if his singles Suit and Tie and Mirrors are anything to go by. His recent Grammy performance with black and white broadcasting and big band hark back to the Ratpack era, showing that this new album will have just as much style and sophistication as we would expect. With this album release followed by his tour with Jay Z in July this summer it seems Justin Timberlake is in for a very busy year… I for one cannot wait.
Here is a video of Justin performing a medley of a few of his solo songs throughout the years… definitely worth a watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpCgZgG-HTo