From boy to man

It's not often you get to watch someone grow up to be a megastar but in Justin Timberlake's case, that's exactly what happened.

The curly-haired blue-eyed boy from Tennessee, who got his career break at the age of 12 on The Mickey Mouse Club, has become a pin-up in the bedrooms of teenage girls across the world.

At 26, his career is in full throttle and shows no sign of easing off, much to the relief of his millions of devoted fans.

Looking back, it's hard to believe a Mouseketeer could be the focus of such widespread female fantasy.

After all, he's no Brad Pitt. But perhaps it's because we have watched his metamorphosis from cute kid to cute guy that we can relate so well to this boy next door.

For that is exactly what he was when he burst onto screens across the US in the children's variety show The Mickey Mouse Club in 1993. It was there that he met his future girlfriend, Britney Spears, future band mate JC Chasez and future touring partner Christina Aguilera.

But after two seasons with the long-running show, their mousing days were over when the series ended in 1995.

Malfunction

Timberlake came into his own with his first solo album Justified in 2002, which spawned hits including Cry Me A River (influenced by his split from Britney Spears) and Rock Your Body. With its r'n'b and hip hop influences, the leap from cleverly managed boyband member to serious recording artist was complete. It seemed like nothing could throw a spanner in the works.

Who could have guessed Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction would be the blip in Timberlake's otherwise seamless ascent? The famous incident during the televised half-time show at 2004's Superbowl was watched by an estimated 140 million viewers.

As Timberlake sang, "gonna have you naked by the end of this song", the costume reveal went a stage too far, exposing Jackson's breast, which was conveniently adorned with nipple jewellery.

Alas, it was too much for American sensitivities which fed an unprecedented outcry, forcing Timberlake to make a public apology stressing it was unintentional.

While the exposure did nothing to enhance Jackson's career, humble Timberlake managed to come out of it virtually unscathed and later admitted he only received "about 10 per cent of the blame". After agreeing to apologise again on television, he attended that year's Grammy's and picked up two awards, putting his career firmly back on track.

The *NSYNC years

It paved the way for Timberlake to hook up with JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Joey Fatone and later Lance Bass to form a boyband called *NSYNC, under the guidance of Lou Pearlman.

Endless rehearsals to perfect vocals and dance moves paid off when the new pop and r'n'b group secured a record deal with BMG Ariola Munich. They immediately went on a European tour while simultaneously recording their first album, *NSYNC.

With a top 10 hit in Germany in 1996 thanks to the single I Want You Back, the group worked hard to break the US market with constant touring across the states.

Their first album eventually peaked at No 2 on the Billboard charts in 1998. By the time their second album No Strings Attached was released in 2000, the group's popularity ensured it sold a record-breaking 2.4 million copies in its first week.

The single It's Gonna Be Me became their first No 1 hit and tickets for their world tour sold out in all venues but one on the first day of going on sale, hitting a million sales in the first 24 hours.

Timberlake and Chasez began flexing their creative muscles by album three, Celebrity, in 2001, on which they wrote and produced some of the tracks. But the allure of their own celebrity was enticing them to solo projects and the band took a break.

Ladies' man

Justin Timberlake has an impressive list of conquests when it comes to leading ladies. The singer had a long-term relationship with Britney Spears when the two first became famous for their music. But, the couple split in 2002 after rumours of Spears being unfaithful.

He briefly dated Charmed actress Alyssa Milano before finding happiness in the arms of Shrek star Cameron Diaz in 2003. Their relationship lasted for three years before ending at the start of this year. Timberlake been linked to actress Jessica Biel since they were first seen out together in January.

SexyBack

Despite a brief foray into acting (Alpha Dog, Southland Tales and Shrek The Third), his focus has now returned to music. It came as no surprise when his second album Future Sex/Love Sounds debuted at No 1 on the Billboard charts when it was released in September last year.

Produced largely by Timbaland, its first single SexyBack stayed in the top spot for seven weeks followed by My Love and What Goes Around from the album that also reached No 1. Now there's talk of Timberlake collaborating with Madonna after the two were seen entering a London studio together earlier this year.

It seems fitting that the undisputed Queen of pop should team up with a prince who would be king. Indeed, on that score, Timberlake is well on his way.

Last month, the singer picked up two gongs at the American Music Awards for favourite rock/pop male artist and favourite r'n'b/soul album for Future Sex/Love Sounds.

That came after winning two Grammy's this year, including best dance recording (SexyBack) and best rap/song collaboration (My Love with TI).

Did you know?

Justin's mum inadvertently came up with the name *NSYNC after remarking on first hearing them sing that the boys sounded "in sync".

Timberlake teamed up with childhood friend Trace Ayala to launch a clothing line called William Rast in 2005. The name is made up of both their grandfather's names.

The singer has a number of tattoos including a cross on his arm and a guardian angel on his back which carries a banner bearing his mother's initials.

He is also a golfer with a 6 handicap and will host the Las Vegas tournament of the PGA tour next year.