Justin Timberlake
He evolved from a teen pop heartthrob into a slick, genre-blending solo artist who defined 2000s pop culture with his dance moves and production savvy.
Born 1981 (age 45)·American singer, songwriter, and actor·Birthday: January 31·Millennials
Biography
Justin Timberlake’s journey began in Memphis, Tennessee, where his early love for music was shaped by the soulful sounds of the region. His big break came as the curly-haired, falsetto-voiced heart of the boy band *NSYNC, which dominated charts and teenage daydreams at the turn of the millennium. Rather than fade with the group, Timberlake engineered a daring reinvention. His 2002 solo debut, 'Justified,' fused R&B swagger with pop hooks, while 2006's 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' embraced futuristic, Timbaland-produced beats, cementing his status as a forward-thinking hitmaker. His career expanded into film and comedy, with notable roles in 'The Social Network' and as a frequent 'Saturday Night Live' host, showcasing a sharp wit. Beyond performance, his work as a songwriter and producer for other artists and his ventures in fashion and spirits reveal a strategic, multifaceted mogul who has consistently stayed several steps ahead of the pop music curve.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Justin was born in 1981, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Justin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1981
#1 Movie
Raiders of the Lost Ark
Best Picture
Chariots of Fire
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Justin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1981Born
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1986Started school
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1994Became a teenager
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
1997Could drive
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
1999Could vote
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Turned 21
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2011Turned 30
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 40
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 45 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- He won ten Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for 'Justified' and Record of the Year for 'What Goes Around... Comes Around.'
- His 2006 album 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' produced five top-ten singles and sold over 10 million copies worldwide.
- He co-founded the clothing line William Rast and became a major investor in the Sauza 901 tequila brand.
- He received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award from MTV for his innovative and influential music videos.
- His Super Bowl LII halftime show performance in 2018 became the most-watched in the event's history at the time.
Did You Know?
He is a part-owner of the Memphis Grizzlies NBA franchise.
He is an avid golfer and has participated in several professional celebrity tournaments.
He provided the voice for the lead character, Branch, in the animated 'Trolls' film franchise.
He was the first artist to have his music video ('Rock Your Body') premiere on the iTunes Music Store.
““The only way you can ever really be successful is if you figure out what you love to do, and then find a way to do it for a living.””
