We love him as the suave songbird of 2024 that gives us a dose of 90s nostalgia with every glance, but there’s just a part of us that loves the Justin Timberlake that originally stole our hearts as a young boyband-er — and yes, that even includes that bleach-blonde era!

After all, when you combine that level of talent with the essence of a pop star, you have the perfect combination for international fame that spans decades.

The now-43-year-old star was destined for a career in music based on his lineage alone, with members of his family being musicians, introducing him to various genres and artists that would influence him in the years to come.

Justin Timberlake, 1997
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Justin was honing his skills from a very young age, participating in church choir as a young boy. By the time he was 11-years-old, he could be seen on Star Search, a talent show airing on television.

By the early 90s, he was taking the next steps toward international fame. His time on Disney Channel’s The All New Mickey Mouse Club put him on the map, and before long, he was being recruited for perhaps the most pivotal moment of his career: joining *NSYNC.

Justin Timberlake, Lance Bass, Chris Kirkpatrick, JC Chasez and Joey Fatone, 1998

*NSYNC and beyond

The band became teen pop sensations, known for hits like “Bye Bye Bye,” “It’s Gonna Be Me,” “Tearin’ Up My Heart,” and so many more.

“I was the youngest in the group, but I also grew up being an athlete, and so you have this thing in the back of your mind that practice is important, that preparation is as important as performance,” he recalled in a 2011 interview with The Guardian.

“We used to do ‘quick outs’ – that’s when you say goodnight, but the band keeps playing and the lights go out, and you go right on to the bus and out of the venue to beat the traffic and get to the next city. They would tape the show for me with a right-angle camera, and I would get on to the bus and watch it and make notes right off, and then I’d give them to the lighting guys and the other members of the band. I was very serious. I was too serious, probably. It’s very type-A behaviour, don’t you think?”

Justin Timberlake, 1999
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In 2001, Justin said goodbye to the band and embarked on a wildly successful solo career that is still going strong to this day. Some of his most popular solo hits include “SexyBack,” “Mirrors,” “Cry Me a River,” “Suit & Tie,” “Rock Your Body” and many more.

He also forayed into the acting world, having appeared alongside some of Hollywood’s most notable faces in films including The Social Network (2010), Friends With Benefits (2011), Inside Llewyn Davis (2013), Trolls (2016) and many more.

Today, Justin is still making both music and movies, his latest album, Everything I Thought It Was, releasing in March of 2024.

While we love to see what he’s doing today, let’s take a walk down memory lane and take a peek at the Justin who stole our hearts as a young pop star!

Justin Timberlake young

1999: Close up

Justin Timberlake, 1999
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A young Justin Timberlake sports his famed blonde locks in this 1999 portrait.

1999: 90s heartthrob

Justin Timberlake, 1999
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Justin gets up close and personal in this young snapshot.

2000: Looking moody

Justin Timberlake, 2000
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Justin shows off his brooding side.

2000: Curly haired cutie

Justin Timberlake, 2000
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Now that’s what I call a pop star!

2000: Shades swagger

Justin Timberlake, 2000
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The singer rocks these blue lenses!

2001: Buzzcut for the boyband member

Justin Timberlake, 2001
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The singer switches up his signature ‘do!

2001: An iconic look

Justin Timberlake, 2001
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2001: Bringing home the board

Justin Timberlake, 2001
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Justin poses with *NSYNC’s Teen Choice Award.

2002: Iconic couple

Timberlake and Britney Spears, 2002
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This couple was the talk of the 2000s!

2002: All smiles

Timberlake, 2002
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The superstar is oh-so charming!