• Faith: Christian
• Career: Actor
• Birthday:  January 31, 1981

Justin Timberlake is a singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and dancer. Often referred to as the "Prince of Pop," he has been recognized by Billboard as the top-performing male solo artist on Pop Airplay and one of the greatest pop stars of the 21st century.

Justin Randall Timberlake was born on January 31, 1981, in Memphis, Tennessee. Raised in the Shelby Forest area just outside the city, he grew up immersed in a musical and faith-driven environment. His father was a Baptist church choir director, and music played a central role in his life from an early age. Justin was also heavily influenced by his grandfather, who introduced him to the sounds of country legends like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson.

Even as a child, Timberlake displayed a remarkable gift for music. At the age of 11, he appeared on the television talent show Star Search, performing country songs. Around that time, he began to expand his musical palette, developing an appreciation for soul and rhythm and blues artists such as Al Green, Marvin Gaye, and Stevie Wonder. His Southern Baptist upbringing and musical roots would later shape both his artistry and values.

Timberlake’s path to superstardom began in 1995 when he joined the boy band NSYNC. As one of the group's lead vocalists, he quickly rose to fame. The band’s debut self-titled album, released in 1998, was a commercial success, selling millions of copies and introducing NSYNC to a global audience. The group’s popularity soared with the release of their 2000 album No Strings Attached, which broke sales records by selling over two million copies in its first week. The album produced several hit singles, including “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.”

The group followed up their success with Celebrity in 2001, further cementing their place in pop music history. Timberlake’s standout vocals and charismatic presence on stage made him a fan favorite and set the stage for his inevitable solo career.

In 2002, Timberlake began his journey as a solo artist. His debut single “Like I Love You” received critical acclaim and paved the way for his first solo album, Justified, which was released later that year. The album debuted at number two on the Billboard 200 and went on to sell over 10 million copies worldwide. Featuring a more mature R&B sound, Justified showcased Timberlake’s evolution as an artist. Hits like “Cry Me a River” and “Rock Your Body” highlighted his vocal versatility and established him as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.

Following the success of his debut album, Timberlake took time to explore acting. He appeared in a number of films, including Alpha Dog, Black Snake Moan, Southland Tales, and voiced a character in Shrek the Third. Despite his venture into Hollywood, music remained his primary passion.

Timberlake returned to the studio and released his second solo album, FutureSex/LoveSounds, in 2006. The album debuted at number one and included hit singles like “SexyBack,” “My Love,” and “What Goes Around... Comes Around.” With its futuristic sound and genre-blending style, the album further elevated his status as a trendsetter in pop and R&B music.

Throughout the 2010s, Timberlake continued to prove his versatility. He collaborated with a wide range of artists, including Madonna on the global hit “4 Minutes.” In 2016, he starred in the animated film Trolls and recorded the song “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” for its soundtrack. The song became one of the biggest hits of the year, reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and becoming the best-selling song in the United States for 2016.

He received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 2019, a testament to his lasting impact on the music industry. Timberlake also released several collaborations during this time, including “The Other Side” with SZA and “Better Days” with Ant Clemons, the latter performed at President Joe Biden’s inauguration in 2021.

In 2023, Timberlake reunited with NSYNC to record the song “Better Place” for the Trolls Band Together soundtrack. Around the same time, he worked on his sixth studio album, Everything I Thought It Was, which was released in March 2024. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 and was supported by the Forget Tomorrow World Tour, which quickly became his fastest-selling tour to date.

Timberlake’s personal life has often attracted as much attention as his professional accomplishments. Over the years, he has been linked to several high-profile relationships. He dated pop icon Britney Spears from 1999 to 2002, followed by brief relationships with British singer Emma Bunton and actress Cameron Diaz.

In 2007, Timberlake began dating actress Jessica Biel. The couple became engaged in December 2011 and were married on October 19, 2012, in a private ceremony in southern Italy. Together, they have two children, though they’ve kept many details about their family life private in order to shield their kids from the spotlight.

Timberlake has owned several luxurious properties throughout his life. In 2002, he purchased a mansion in the Hollywood Hills. Later, he acquired a SoHo loft in New York City, a cabin near Big Sky, Montana, and a penthouse in the Tribeca neighborhood of Manhattan, which he bought with Biel in 2017.

Justin Timberlake's Religious Beliefs

Timberlake’s religious background played a meaningful role in his early years. He was born and raised in a devout Southern Baptist home in the heart of the Bible Belt. His father was the choir director at a local Baptist church, and Timberlake was baptized as a Southern Baptist. His grandfather was a preacher, and gospel music was part of his musical foundation.

As a child, Timberlake often performed gospel music and sang in church. This spiritual upbringing provided a moral and artistic grounding that would stay with him even as his career took him far from his Southern roots.

As he grew older and entered the entertainment industry, Timberlake’s spiritual views began to shift. While he is no longer a practicing Baptist, he has spoken in interviews about his belief in God and described himself as “spiritual.” Though he may not be outspoken about his faith in the way some celebrities are, he has acknowledged the importance of maintaining a sense of personal values, gratitude, and integrity—principles that stem from his religious upbringing.