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| Why Justin Timberlake Finds Comfort in *NSYNC at This Moment |
In the annals of pop culture history, the name Justin Timberlake has seen its fair share of scandals and controversies. From the infamous Janet Jackson incident to the Britney Spears saga, and even an apology for dancing poorly in khakis, Timberlake's journey has been a rollercoaster. But, let's not forget, there was a time when he stood as a colossal global superstar, almost akin to a Mount Rushmore-level figure. His first three solo albums - "Justified" (2002), "FutureSex/LoveSounds" (2006), and "The 20/20 Experience" (2013) - all scaled the charts, and he consistently sold out major arenas. He even garnered Emmys for his humorously bold performances on Saturday Night Live, such as the memorable "Dick in a Box" skit with Andy Samberg. Timberlake had his own fiery Hot Ones appearance.
However, recent events have brought him back into the fold of *NSYNC, the boyband that initially propelled him to fame. On September 29, *NSYNC released their first track in over two decades, and fans were overjoyed, including Taylor Swift. Timberlake, once the cause of the band's "indefinite hiatus" in 2002, has been remarkably supportive and amicable during *NSYNC's recent press tour, promoting their work for the Trolls Band Together soundtrack. It's a surprising twist for Timberlake, considering that not too long ago, his return to boy band-dom would have been as improbable as Beyoncé reuniting with Destiny's Child for the soundtrack to Disney's live-action version of Lion King 1½. Today, the reunion is seen as a triumphant moment for pop music, rather than a cringeworthy nostalgia grab. How did Justin Timberlake arrive at this point, and did he ever foresee such a future?
*NSYNC's "Bye Bye Bye"
In an era marked by Zayn Malik's blunt criticism of One Direction and Camila Cabello's public clashes with Fifth Harmony, it's almost a revelation that a popular band can part ways without descending into acrimony. *NSYNC, in fact, never officially disbanded. Timberlake's divergence from the group began with what was initially supposed to be a temporary hiatus. At the peak of their fame and with a devoted fanbase, Timberlake put everything on hold to record his debut solo album, "Justified." This move, according to Timberlake, was mutually beneficial, as he stated in a 2002 interview with New York Post, "The break we're on was a conscious move. We all wanted to do it, and we were ready to do it. I was 14 when we started, and we've been touring for the last seven years. The time was right; we were all in the same zone. This album is what I wanted to do."
It wasn't until 2007 that Lance Bass revealed in his book that they were "definitely broken up" and that Timberlake showed no interest in discussing another album. Despite this revelation, the breakup was remarkably free from public drama.
Keeping It Low-Key
While Timberlake's bandmates occasionally voiced their frustrations, it was done quietly. Joey Fatone, for instance, expressed in 2018 that they thought they would reunite, but it never materialized, and there was no official explanation for the prolonged hiatus. Timberlake seldom deviated from his line about the importance of everyone's individual projects or brushed off the breakup as "not a big deal for us." However, when you're the one shaping the narrative, that's an easy stance to maintain.
In all the interviews and discussions, there were only a couple of instances where Timberlake's comments could be remotely interpreted as shade. In 2011, he declared that he would only sing an *NSYNC song again in a "really special scenario," which indeed happened two years later when the band reunited for Timberlake's VMA Video Vanguard win. In 2017, he admitted, "I was growing out of it. I felt like I cared more about the music than some of the other people in the group." While the media sensationalized this statement, the rest of the band seemed to take it in stride, and it did not lead to any public feud.
The Boy Band Resurgence
Whether the camaraderie between the group members is genuine or Timberlake's PR team is simply brilliant, one thing is clear: as his solo career experienced ups and downs, his boy band past remained an ever-present theme. Timberlake's treatment of his past could be interpreted as either constant atonement for leaving his friends behind or an acknowledgment that his own fame needed a safety net.
What is undeniable is that, amidst his solo career's turbulence and evolving image, Timberlake is receiving something few in his position have: forgiveness and a seemingly sincere re-embrace. Only time will tell if this reunion extends beyond the Trolls Band Together project and if history repeats itself. Perhaps, this time around, it will be JC's turn to shine.
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