JACK OF ALL TRADES
Why Justin Timberlake is the Busiest Man in Show Business

by Shep Morgan

On his trip to Las Vegas in October, Justin Timberlake came with a purpose. Sure, he played golf and performed onstage with his celebrity friends, but the superstar singer did it all for a cause which means a lot to him: the Shriners Hospital for Children.

“I’m motivated by kids like Katie, who was able to play golf with me because she has a prosthetic leg made possible by Shriners," he explained. “I know there are a lot of others out there like Katie who need help and I want to be a part of giving to them.“

In hosting the Justin Timberlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open at TPC Summerlin, the singer became the fourteenth celebrity to host a PGA event, following in the footsteps of entertainment legends like Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. A charity concert held at the Theatre for the Performing Arts at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino featured Rihanna, the Jonas Brothers, Adam Levine of Maroon 5, Boyz II Men, 50 Cent, Will.i.am and Leona Lewis.

“The PGA told me that their Vegas event was losing its luster," he said. “I thought, it’s the perfect place for a marriage of golf and entertainment, and I can do that.“

The Early Years
The climb to stardom, which has made Timberlake one of the hottest commodities in show biz, began when he was a runner-up on Star Search. In 1993, he joined The Mickey Mouse Club cast, which included Britney Spears (who would become his girlfriend) and another singing sensation: Christina Aguilera. But when the series was cancelled he headed back home to Memphis, Tennessee, not sure what would come next.

About to start high school, Timberlake and another Disney alum, JC Chasez, recorded demo tapes and soon thereafter teamed up to form the boy band ‘N Sync with Lance Bass, Joey Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick. “We had no idea that we’d be a hit,” Timberlake said.

Since then, Timberlake’s global stardom has eclipsed his fan-frenzied success as a lead singer of ‘N Sync. His debut solo album Justified followed by FutureSex/LoveSounds have sold more than 18 million copies, won him six Grammys and gotten him the nickname “Mr. Sexy Back” after the title of one of a long list of his chart-busting singles. “I just thought it was catchy,” he said of the song, “I don’t think I brought sexy back.”

Of course, Timberlake had already earned that label after a string of high-profile romances beginning with his headline-grabbing years with Britney Spears. He then had a longtime relationship with Cameron Diaz. Today, in his relationship with Jessica Biel, he attempts to protect their privacy as the paparazzi try to document their every move.

Keeping the lid on his love life has not been easy, but Timberlake is determined to try. “They create soap operas out of people’s lives,” he said of the tabloids. “Trying to answer what you read becomes a spin game, and I’m not going to be a part of it.”