It's Justin Time
Justin Timberlake talks to Teen People exclusively
about the breakup, the rumors--and making the album of his life.
by Cara Lynn Shultz
There's something about Justin Randall Timberlake
that makes you forget he's one of the biggest celebrities on the planet.
Maybe it's that Justin, 21, still has the characteristics of a sweet Memphis
boy--from the way he takes his iced tea (with sweetened water, not sugar
cubes) to the way he lets a woman enter the room first to his sometimes roommate
(his mom). Or maybe it's how he and his best friend, Trace Ayala, amuse themselves
in the backyard: shooting potatoes into the air with a homemade shotgun.
"It's a total country boy thing," Justin explains.
Today, Justin, minus spud cannon, sits at a table at the
Chateau Marmont, a Gothic inspired hotel in Hollywood (and just a 15-minute
drive from his newly purchased Mexican-style home on 10 acres in the Hollywood
Hills). He has just finished reading a magazine article on Pink, whose concert
he recently caught in L.A. "She blew me away with her presence," says Justin
of the pop tart turned rock goddess. "She's so raw." Like Pink, Justin's
finally made the music he's been waiting to do his whole life, the
results of which can be found on his first solo effort, Justified.
Boosted by production from the Neptunes (who have produced Jay-Z and Usher)
and Timbaland (who has produced Missy Elliott and Aaliyah), the music is
a lush sonic arrangement of soul vocals and hip-hop and R&B beats, from
the raunchy "Right For Me" to the powerful love-gone-wrong performance in
"Cry Me a River." And this winter he'll get his own chance to blow away audiences
when he tours the U.S.--alone for the first time. Soul? R&B? Good Lord--
raunchy? All of this from a soft-spoken, blond-haired, blue-eyed pop
idol? You bet.
According to those who have shared studio time with Justin,
it's perfect fit. "He grew up listening to this music," says Brian McKnight,
who cowrote the track "Never Again." "He's one of the most talented young
musical artists we have. He could be the next Elvis."
Adds Quddus, host of MTV's TRL: "He's got a flock
of girls hollering about how hot he is, he's smart, he can dance--and he
really, genuinely has a voice. He has all the elements of a dynamic artist."
It would appear that he has a flock of girls hollering
about how hot he is in his personal life as well. Since ending his four-year
relationship with girlfriend Britney Spears, 20, in March, Justin's been
a tabloid regular. Stories of rumored dalliances with Janet Jackson, Christina
Aguilera, 'Nsync backup dancer Jenna Dewan and, most recently, Alyssa Milano
run alongside reports of occasional run-ins with Britney, such as a stare-down
at an L.A. nightclub. "The way I loved Britney was like nothing ever, so
the hardest thing was hearing all this," he says, referring to the scuttlebutt.
But while he may not appreciate the title for his love life as much as he
would for his musical accomplishments, one thing's for sure: Justin is the
player of the year.
First off, the obvious question: You've talked about
"very bad things" happening in your love life, specifically your breakup
with Britney?
That's a struggle. I fight these two people inside of
me. One's completely jaded, [saying,] 'If you throw your heart back out there
it's going to be horrible.' The other part says, 'Why not?' I still welcome
people into my life. Once you are completely open to being destroyed, that's
when you can experience the most beautiful thing in the world.
How are you feeling now--any regrets?
No, I don't regret anything. Single life is something
you have to get used to. I've been asked the question so many times, "How
is it going to feel to see her with somebody else?" It's going to hurt.
Are you two friends now?
Yeah, there is no way we wouldn't be. Her family has
been part of my family. I also believe--and this is not a prediction--but
we are both 20 and 21. Who knows what's going to happen?
Why go solo after so much success with 'Nsync (which
has sold a total of more than 27 million records)?
I was in the mood to do my own thing. It wasn't anything
personal. The group is not breaking up, but we had been running for seven
years straight. It was time to chill out. And I had so much music inside
of me that was so different, it wouldn't be right for anyone else.
What was it like to record without four other guys?
In 'Nsync you don't do records that somebody doesn't
sing on. But with this record I did whatever came to mind. If my voice cracked
a little bit, it's character. Leave it on the record. It's totally organic.
What is your favorite track on Justified?
"Nothing Else." It's a simple love story, expressing
to this ordinary girl how you think she's from another planet.
So you're a hopeless romantic?
Yeah. I haven't found this girl I keep writing about.
I think someday, I really will meet my angel. She doesn't have a distinct
face, just a presence. She just glows. I'm looking for perfection. Perfection
to me is somebody who is completely comfortable with all their imperfections.
If I meet this girl, will I still be inspired to write these songs?
There are some songs that aren't so sweet, though,
like "Cry Me a River." [With lyrics like, "You said that you loved me/Why
did you leave me?"]. Are they inspired by anything in particular?
I am not going to say anything specific about my song.
[But] the songs will bring clarity. They're explanatory. I don't have to
say it.
How about the first single, "Like I Love You." Were
you happy with your rendition of it at the MTV Video Music Awards?
I had a blast. But I knew I was going to be compared
to Michael Jackson. That's a big hat and glove to fill. I'm a huge fan. To
say that he doesn't inspire me would be like walking out onstage with a Band-Aid
on my face and saying I wasn't trying to look like Nelly.
You're still sometimes classified as just a "boy
band guy." For example, you were booed at a recent radio show when N.E.R.D.
brought you out as a surprise guest. Does that annoy you or do you brush
it off?
I expected worse. That's not my crowd. Anyone that boos
me, I feel the need to win them over. So maybe I'll do a rock album in a
couple of years, curse all over the place so people will think I'm cool.
[Laughs]
Nick Carter from Backstreet Boys has a rock album
coming out. Any competitive feelings?
Oh, totally! [Laughs] I'm kidding. I don't feel
competition. I heard [Nick's single] "Help Me," and I think it's a great
song. People are ready to hear a new Bryan Adams. My record is something
different--I wanted to change what people were listening to. If you were
16 or 17 when 'Nsync came out, you are probably 21 or 22 now. I know the
kids are going to dig [my music], because it's a new sound.
'Nsync has always had a special relationship with
its fans. But recently, a girl was killed when an allegedly drunk driver
deliberately backed into her, while she was waiting for you at an L.A. radio
station. How do you deal with news like this?
It weighs heavy on my heart. I said so many prayers for
her family. My heart goes out to her parents, because I don't know what my
mother would do.
How often do you talk with your mom, Lynn Harless?
Every day. She was just there for me when I was feeling
down. She hasn't really tried to give me advice. Me and my mom have an understanding;
we're best friends. I love hanging out [at home]. I would rather do that.
But you've got to tear loose sometimes, go out and act like a redneck.
Lately there's been a lot of rumors about what happens
when you leave the house. First: that you and Britney had something of a
dance-off, battling with choreographed moves after bumping into each other
at a club. Any truth to it?
She doesn't want to have a dance-off with me. I would
kill her in a dance-off. [Laughs] No, we did not have
a dance-off. I went up to say hello. We sat, talked for a minute or two and
then left each other alone. I promised her I would not talk about why we
broke up. I'm going to honor that, because I do still have so much love in
my heart for her.
OK, there goes my next question.
You have to ask it! I can say no comment.
Do you want to address the big rumor--that she cheated
with on you [sic] Wade Robson ['Nsync's choreographer and Justin's friend,
who cowrote tracks on Celebrity]??
Answering that question would not be honoring the answer
I gave you for the last question. So I'm not going to say anything specific.
[When asked for comment, Wade said, "There are no problems between Justin
and me. I wish him only the best."] The one thing I was upset about was that
people were pointing their fingers at me. Everybody said, "He's going
out with Janet or Jenna or so and so." To me, I was going out with my friends.
OK, final rumor check: Dating Alyssa Milano?
She's a friend. I'm not going to talk about it. I want
to get to know that person before the whole world tries to get to know us.
If they see me with someone else, they are going to think "playboy." I have
always been a one-woman type of guy. I'm married to this album, how's that?
Sounds like she's been a good girlfriend so far.
Hasn't hurt me yet!
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