That very name – the right to use ’N Sync – was at stake in a recent 150 million dollar lawsuit by, and counterclaim against, the band’s former manager. The boys of the band won, if you’re worried. A tidbit factoid from the legal proceedings was that the originator of the name was not the manager, but Timberlake’s mom. (Maybe Timberlake gets the first “N” then…)

The big story on the nineteen-year-old, though, isn’t about lawsuits; it’s about singing and dancing. Performance began early for this son of a bluegrass musician. The curly haired moppet appeared on the Star Search TV talent contest at age 11, and was signed the next year to the Disney Channel’s 90’s remake of the Mickey Mouse Club (1993-94). There he met future band-mate JC, and a year after that the two had been put together with three more singers/dancers to tour Europe as ’N Sync. Back in the States, they recorded their close harmonies on a debut self-titled album (1998), immediately following its success (seven million copies sold) with Home For Christmas (1998). Immense popularity in Europe and subsequent immense popularity in North America came as no surprise to supporters; the boys of the band give their all at each performance, truly entertaining their audiences. Most recently, the release of the band’s album, No Strings Attached (2000), was delayed while the lawsuit played out, but promises to be another monster hit. Fans who can’t get enough are also promised the release of the soundtrack (complete with ’N Sync vocals) to the film Dr Seuss’s How The Grinch Stole Christmas (2000).

Timberlake has recently, too, broken into acting and will appear as a “male model” in a World of Walt Disney feature entitled Model Behaviour/Janine and Alex: Cover Girls. He cares a great deal about performance, lending his name and energies to the Justin Timberlake Foundation, initiated to support theatre arts and music in public schools in America. Timberlake has an upcoming appointment with the U.S. President and First Lady to further develop the program.

His own education is difficult, with concerts six nights a week, 300 days a year, but Timberlake did earn his high school diploma – it’s just that he received it, not in a usual gymnasium commencement, but during a Memphis concert. He, as well, has put some engineering and computer skills to work, designing the track of a virtual Disney rollercoaster ride.

More acting is upcoming for the teen heartthrob. He is to star, along with his band-mates, in the stage musical Grease 3, and all plan to have a bit of fun lending their voices to an episode of the animated television series, The Simpsons.