“WE SHOULD EMBRACE OUR DIFFERENCES”
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE IS A POP IDOL WHO ACHIEVED FAME AS A MEMBER OF THE SUCCESSFUL BOY BAND ‘N SYNC BEFORE ESTABLISHING A CAREER AS A SOLO PERFORMER. THE SINGER, WHO HAS BEEN NOMINATED 39 TIMES AND HAS WON 10 GRAMMY AWARDS, ESTABLISHED THE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE FOUNDATION WITH THE GOAL OF FUNDING AND SUPPORTING MUSIC PROGRAMS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS. WE MET WITH FAMOUS ACTOR, MUSICIAN, AND PRODUCER IN LOS ANGELES.
Trolls World Tour is coming out in April. Do you think there is a certain age for this movie?
I’m really proud to be a part of this film with a message of embracing diversity, and that we all are different and from different walks of life and using music, which is such a great way in to that message... To have a movie that can use something that I think all people love, which is music, from a very young age, to sort of help them embrace their own diversity -it’s essential. I think it’s a message from generation to generation, it’s a lovely reminder. And especially now, I think it’s a beautiful message for people to be reminded that we are all different and that’s a beautiful thing. We should embrace that, we should celebrate that. We should learn more about each other and try to understand each other. At the same time, you are laughing and singing and dancing in the movie theater, and doing it in a way that’s celebratory and not preachy. Because at the end of the day, as well, we want to make a movie that makes everybody laugh and smile, and that’s what we did with the first one. I feel like we did it again.
What was your practical role in this movie? Was it just the musical parts or all the messages involving the theme?
Both. The message of the film and the way I felt like we were able to tackle the music, it was inspiring. It was inspiring to take music and have it represent or be symbolic of a different walk of life. It felt really inspiring to have a message of inclusivity through diversity. I think it’s a timely message.
What kind of street cred do you have at home now? I mean obviously your son is in that sweet spot for a movie like this, does he get the relationship that dad is involved, that you are playing a troll?
Yeah, he understood it with the first one, to be honest, a little bit. His first way into Trolls was “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” And so, now, he’s heard the whole soundtrack, he got an advance listening, a preview. He’s got connections, he got a preview -all of my friends that have kids that are the same age. I’m excited to share this with my group of friends and for them to share it with their children as well. It’s rare that you get a film and a franchise like this that just makes you go happy and reminds people, like I said with this one in particular,
about embracing diversity, and embracing that we are all different. It’s a special thing for me to be able to give that to my child.
What was the first musical string that was attached to your life?
It’s really deep. What genre?
What first enveloped what you were.
I do know that my mother played classic rock on the radio. We did more of that than we did lullabies when I was really little. I don’t know how much of this is true, but it’s what my mother told me. She told me that at two or three I was singing with Don Henley on the radio, I was singing harmony with Don Henley, so I imagine that. I don’t know. Interestingly enough, a band who incorporated different styles of rhythm and blues, and country, and rock and roll, as an example. But I remember she would listen to -we would listen to- classic rock and the pop channels, as well.
You performed at the Eurovision Song Contest. The original deal for your Eurovision performance was to bring all the nations and different languages together through music. What do you think of the contest?
I very much enjoyed my time there; I’d never seen anything like it. And I thought it was a celebration, more than anything. I know it was a contest, but I felt like when I was there, everybody was honoring and celebrating each other’s countries and their music. So, I had a great time. I remember the stage there was incredible, the way the stage lit up was amazing... I think we have had a run of television shows that are competition-based shows, but I remember being there and feeling like this feels more like a celebration of everyone. I very much enjoyed it.
You have traveled the world. What experiences have you had? What is important for you to have a good trip abroad? Whether it’s a professional trip or a vacation.
Food! I’m a foodie, so whenever I am in a place, I like to experience the local cuisine. Where have I been? I am a big fan of Italian food. That was one of the last vacations that I took, where I think I just ate for about seven days straight, it was a great holiday.