It seems like only the other day a greasy fro'ed teenager was singing earnestly about tearin' up his heart to thousands of screaming teeny boppers. These days, Mr. Timberlake is a not only looking all kinds of fine, he's also a hugely respected singer, producer, actor and businessman with new single Suit & Tie featuring Jay-Z already making waves across the world. So how did the boyband darling of the late 90's manage to make the transistion from Mouseketeer to serious A-lister? Grazia's mapped it out for you in one handy list.
11. The Mickey Mouse Show
Starring alongside Christina Aguilera, Britney and JC Chasez at a time when the fashion atrocities of late 90's pop (double denim anyone?) were but a twinkle in their innocent Mouseketeer eyes, JT was a heartthrob before he even hit his teens. Know who else was in The Mickey Mouse Club who managed to keep it rather quiet? Ryan Gosling; here's some disturbing proof. Yeah, that happened.
10. *NSYNC
Woweee, check out those zip-up lyrca tops! And those jeans! There's enough room for all the lads just in Lance Bass's pair. Also, WHAT was the 90's obsession with space? See also Britney Spears Oops I Did It Again.
9. JT + BS 4 EVA
Pop's golden couple. RIP.
8. No Strings Attached
When *NSYNC well and truly won the battle of the boybands. Backstreet who?
7. *NSYNC Get Street Cred
Rap music? On a pop record? You'd better believe it. Cool video, even better song and finally an end to Justin's frosted-tipped fro. Miracles will never cease.
6. Split From Britney And Solo Career
Hooking up with uber-producers Timbaland and Pharrell was probably Justin's best career move to date. From Senorita to Like I Love You to Rock Your Body, Justified was the album of the early noughties. PLUS this catty dig at Britney on Cry Me A River probably helped boost sales a bit.
5. Cameron Diaz
Why didn't these two work out? They seemed all kinds of fun. Look at them, watching the basketball, drinking all the beer and munching all the chips. It looks fun right?
4. FutureSex/LoveSounds
Check out Trousersnake all grown up. Sexy songs, brilliant collaborations and serious airplay.
3. Acting Career
What next for the man that's conquered the music world? A foray into acting, that's what. Starting with the highly questionable Alpha Dog in 2006, Justin proved the critics wrong when he played Napster founder Sean Parker in the Oscar winning film about Facebook, The Social Network. Top marks JT.
2. Jessica Biel
After an are they/aren't they dalliance that seemed to go on forever, Hollywood's hottest couple finally got married in October last year. Jessica wore a gorgeous pink number by Giambattista Valli and, as you can see, Justin scrubbed up pretty darn well too.
1. Musical Comeback F. Jay-Z
This. Is. A. Tune. We can't wait for the rest of the album.
