Early Life and Education of Justin Timberlake: A Complete Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Justin Timberlake. A timeline of key moments.

Justin Timberlake, an American singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and dancer, is recognized as the "Prince of Pop" and one of the best-selling music artists. Billboard has lauded him as one of the greatest pop stars of the 21st century. His accolades include ten Grammy Awards, four Primetime Emmy Awards, three Brit Awards, nine Billboard Music Awards, the Contemporary Icon Award by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and MTV's Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

January 31, 1981: Justin Timberlake Born

On January 31, 1981, Justin Randall Timberlake was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Janet Lynn (née Bomar) Harless and Charles Randall Timberlake.

1993: Joining The All New Mickey Mouse Club

In 1993, Justin Timberlake became a Mouseketeer on The All New Mickey Mouse Club, where he worked alongside future stars like Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, JC Chasez, Ryan Gosling, and Keri Russell.

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1995: Recruitment into NSYNC

In 1995, Justin Timberlake recruited JC Chasez to join an all-male singing group, which was formed by Chris Kirkpatrick and financed by Lou Pearlman, leading to the creation of NSYNC.

1997: Loss of Half-Sister

In 1997, Justin Timberlake's half-sister, Laura Katherine, passed away shortly after birth; he mentioned her as "My Angel in Heaven" in the acknowledgments of an NSYNC album.

2000: Pregnancy and Abortion during Timberlake-Spears Relationship

In late 2000, Britney Spears became pregnant during her relationship with Justin Timberlake. She had an abortion after Timberlake said they were not ready for parenthood and he did not want to be a father. As detailed in her 2023 memoir, 'The Woman in Me'

2002: NSYNC Hiatus and Solo Work

By 2002, when NSYNC went on an indefinite hiatus, Justin Timberlake partnered with Pharrell Williams and Timbaland to start working on new music.

2002: NSYNC's Indefinite Hiatus

In 2002, upon the completion of the Celebrity Tour, NSYNC went on an indefinite hiatus.

2002: First Celebrity on Punk'd

Near the end of 2002, Justin Timberlake was the first celebrity to be pranked on Ashton Kutcher's show, Punk'd. He was also the first celebrity to appear on the show more than once.

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2003: Britney Spears' and Madonna's kiss at the MTV Video Music Awards

In 2003 Britney Spears and Madonna kissed at the MTV Video Music Awards.

2004: Focus on Acting After Super Bowl Incident

After the Super Bowl incident in 2004, Justin Timberlake opted out of an NSYNC reunion and focused on his acting career.

May 5, 2005: Throat Surgery

On May 5, 2005, Justin Timberlake underwent surgery to remove nodules from his throat and was advised not to sing or speak loudly for a few months.

2010: Timberlake purchases SoHo unit

In 2010, Justin Timberlake purchased a unit at 311 West Broadway in SoHo, previously owned by Oscar de la Renta, for $6.56 million.

July 2011: Marine Corps Ball Invitation

In July 2011, United States Marine Kelsey De Santis invited Justin Timberlake via a YouTube video to be her date to the United States Marine Corps birthday ball.

November 13, 2011: Attended Marine Corps Birthday Ball

On November 13, 2011, Justin Timberlake attended the United States Marine Corps birthday ball with Kelsey De Santis in Richmond, Virginia.

October 19, 2012: Marriage to Jessica Biel

On October 19, 2012, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel married at the Borgo Egnazia resort in Fasano, Italy.

April 2015: Birth of First Child

In April 2015, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel's first child, a son, was born.

2016: Fifth Album Influences

In 2016, Justin Timberlake discussed the influences behind his fifth album, citing his upbringing in Tennessee and the diverse musical landscape of Memphis and Nashville. He mentioned working with producers Timbaland and Pharrell Williams, aiming for a modern sound rooted in Southern American music.

2016: Selfie Inside Voting Booth Sparks Tennessee Bill

In 2016, Justin Timberlake's selfie inside a voting booth during the presidential election, initially an illegal act, led to Senator Brian Kelsey proposing a bill in Tennessee to allow photos in voting poll stations, which was later approved.

May 2017: Timberlake and Biel buy Tribeca penthouse

In May 2017, Justin Timberlake and his wife, Jessica Biel, purchased a 5,375-square-foot penthouse unit at 443 Greenwich Street in Tribeca, Manhattan, for $20.2 million.

October 30, 2018: Release of Autobiography "Hindsight & All the Things I Can't See In Front of Me"

On October 30, 2018, Justin Timberlake's autobiography, "Hindsight & All the Things I Can't See In Front of Me", was released. The book contains candid images and covers his early life and song inspirations.

Hindsight: & All the Things I Can't See in Front of Me

Check it on Amazon

2018: Producer Salli Frattini States Team Experimented With Removing Elements of Clothing

In 2018, Salli Frattini, the producer of the halftime show, stated that the production team experimented with removing elements of clothing in rehearsal to reveal Jackson's skirt without nudity but that the idea was ultimately nixed.

May 2019: Honorary Doctorate from Berklee

In May 2019, Justin Timberlake received an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music. Missy Elliott and Alex Lacamoire were also honored at the ceremony.

July 2020: Birth of Second Child

In July 2020, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel had a second son.

September 2020: Teasing Collaborations

In September 2020, Justin Timberlake and producer Timbaland teased potential upcoming collaborations with Justin Bieber, Justine Skye, Hit-Boy, and Ty Dolla Sign.

May 2023: Sixth Album Completion Teased

In May 2023, Timbaland revealed that Justin Timberlake's sixth album was completed, adding that the pair had revived the sound from the FutureSex/LoveSounds era.

2023: Spears' Memoir Details Relationship

In her 2023 memoir, "The Woman in Me", Britney Spears wrote about her relationship with Justin Timberlake, including a pregnancy and abortion in 2000.

The Woman in Me

Check it on Amazon

March 13, 2024: Concert at The Wiltern with NSYNC Reunion

On March 13, 2024, Justin Timberlake performed a concert at The Wiltern in Los Angeles. The show featured a surprise reunion with his NSYNC bandmates, who performed a medley of hits and the new album track "Paradise".

June 18, 2024: Arrest for DWI

Shortly after midnight on June 18, 2024, Justin Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York, for driving while intoxicated (DWI). He was charged with one count of DWI and issued two citations. He was released nine hours later following his first arraignment.

June 22, 2024: Hotel Bartender Testimony

On June 22, 2024, bartender employees at the hotel where Justin Timberlake was staying before his DWI arrest confirmed that he only had one martini while at the hotel bar. However, the arresting officer's report indicated signs of intoxication.

July 26, 2024: Scheduled Court Return

Justin Timberlake was scheduled to return to court on July 26, 2024, following his arrest for driving while intoxicated on June 18, 2024.

2024: Timberlake's 2024 DWI arrest

In 2024 Justin Timberlake had a DWI arrest

July 2025: Timberlake Reveals Lyme Disease Diagnosis

In July 2025, at the end of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour, Justin Timberlake revealed his diagnosis of Lyme disease via an Instagram post. He shared his initial shock and the challenges he faced performing with nerve pain, fatigue, and sickness, but ultimately decided to continue touring.

March 2026: Release of body camera footage

In March 2026 the Sag Harbor Police Department released the body camera footage from Justin Timberlake's DWI arrest. The reported exchange between Timberlake and the arresting officer during the stop was not on the released footage.