The All New Mickey Mouse Club
Back in 1993, the MMC was the place to be! That's where Justin Timberlake sang and danced alongside the likes of J.C. Chasez, Britney Spears, Ryan Gosling and Christina Aguilera for two seasons.
Getting 'N Sync
It was 1995 when NSYNC was formed. Fellow former MMC-er J.C., Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone, and Lance Bass made it big alongside Justin first in Europe, then here in the States. They sang, they danced and they dressed in matching sweatsuits every chance they got.
Tearin' Up Hearts
It didn't take Justin long to start developing his own signature style, though. The curls! The tinted shades! That chain! All so quintessential J.T. circa 2000.
Model Behavior
This 2000 film, which aired on ABC's The Wonderful World of Disney, marked the beginning of an era! Justin kicked off an acting career starred opposite Maggie Lawson and Kathie Lee Gifford as Jason Sharpe, a male model with hopes of someday becoming an astronomer.
#NeverForget
Jan. 8, 2001 is a date that will forever live in infamy. This was when Justin and then-girlfriend Britney Spears rocked matching double denim (!) at the American Music Awards.
Every April 30th...
Just before the start of the fifth month every calendar year, the Internet collectively memes Justin's pronunciation of this "It's Gonna Be Me" line.
Super Bowl 2001
NSYNC performed at the 2001 Super Bowl halftime show with Britney, Aerosmith, Nelly and Mary J. Blige. Justin would go on to perform as a solo artist during the 2004 Super Bowl, but due to the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" that befell Janet Jackson, the less said about that, the better.
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King(s) of Pop
After NSYNC performed their single "Pop" at the 2001 VMAs, the guys were joined on stage by none other than Michael Jackson. Worlds collided as Justin beatboxed while MJ danced.
Totally Justified
JT released his first solo album, featuring "Like I Love You," on Nov. 5, 2002. Debuting at a peak of No. 2 on the Billboard 200, the album became the 11th most popular LP of 2003.
"Cry Me a River"
This was Justin's second single from Justified. There was rampant speculation it was about a certain ex-girlfriend...buuuut, those bridges were burned and now it's her turn to cry that's water under the bridge now!
Punk'd
It was Justin's turn to cry during the very first episode of Punk'd when the MTV series debuted in 2003. With the help of Ashton Kutcher through an earpiece, a not-yet-that-famous Dax Shepard tricked him into believing all of his homes, cars and pets had been seized by the government due to $900,000 of unpaid taxes.
LMAO
When Ashton finally came out and told a tearful Justin he'd been Punk'd, he couldn't help but laugh. "You a--hole!" he exclaimed through giggles, just before giving Ashton a congratulatory fist pump and laughing at himself. Justin was clearly amused and later helped trick Kelly Osbourne for another episode of the series.
Omletteville
In 2003, Justin hosted Saturday Night Live for the very first time. He proved his comedy chops right off the bat, particularly with this ensemble and his delivery of the line, "Bring it on down to Omletteville!" As of 2013, he's become a member of the lauded Five-Timers Club, joining other iconic recurring hosts like Alec Baldwin, Scarlett Johansson, and Melissa McCarthy.
Grammy Winner
In 2004, Justin won his first Grammys! He got Best Male Pop Vocal Performance ("Cry Me a River") and Best Pop Vocal Album (Justified). As of press time, he's won 10 total.
Sexy Had Gone Away...
But in 2006, Justin brought "SexyBack" and then some with FutureSex/LoveSounds. Debuting at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, the album went on to win Justin four of his 10 Grammys, two in 2007 and two more the following year.
D--k in a Box
In 2006, Justin and pal Andy Samberg gifted us with this gem of an SNL skit that he admitted in 2020 was inadvertently based on his NSYNC years. "We were, like, ‘What if we came up with, like, a duo of guys who are still stuck in a time and a certain style with, like, the silk suits and the herringbone chains and the well and meticulously sculpted facial hair—am I describing NSYNC? This is weird," he recalled while appearing on the season 11 finale of Hot Ones in April. "I just realized that we took so much from those groups. Holy s--t."
Can't Forget Cam
Justin and Cameron Diaz dated from mid-2003 to late-2006. After their split, though, they remained the friendliest of exes. Both voiced characters in the 2007 movie Shrek the Third, and they later co-starred in the 2011 comedy Bad Teacher.
Along Came Jess!
Justin and Jessica Biel started dating in 2007.
Movie Star
Although Justin had worked on films like Alpha Dog (2006), Black Snake Moan (2006) and The Love Guru (2008), it was his portrayal of Sean Parker in The Social Network (2010) that really legitimized him as a serious actor. He's since appeared in films including Inside Llewyn Davis and Wonder Wheel.
Mama's Boy
This Tennessee kid never forgot where he came from or who raised him! He took mom Lynn Harless as his date to the 2011 Oscars.
"I Do"
On Oct. 19, 2012, Justin and Jessica got married in Fasano, Italy and gifted us this truly incredible photo in the process.
Justin's Other Love
We can't pinpoint the Justin Timberlake-Jimmy Fallon bromance to an exact date—it traces back Jimmy's SNL days, at least—but we're glad it exists.
"Suit & Tie"
The first single from The 20/20 Experience featured Jay Z. It was followed up by "Mirrors" and "Tunnel Vision."
Still NSYNC
Justin was honored at the 2013 MTV VMAs with the Video Vanguard Honor. He performed a medley of his greatest hits, which included a highly-anticipated reunion with J.C., Joey, Chris and Lance on stage. It was a moment.