DISCOURSE

Justin Timberlake can be found in the tabloids on a nearly daily basis. Featured in articles found in US Weekly, People Magazine, along with various other magazines. Interviews and special stories can be seen on E! News, Entertainment Tonight, and also TMZ. The types of stories written about him vary greatly; while they may have some of the same general information they all seem to flaunt a different focus point of the article, capitalizing on the economy of the tidbit. (Gamson, P. 91) The media focus can range from his career, his love life, and also his life around his family and friends. We found three articles from People Magazine that all highlight a different aspect of Justin Timberlake, showing us how dynamic he is as a person and as a performer, shining some light on who Justin Timberlake might really be as an individual.

The first article we selected was featured in People Magazine in August 2003, titled “Touched by an Angel.” This article focused solely on Timberlake’s relationship with fellow celebrity Cameron Diaz. Documenting their summer romance, Diaz attended Timberlake’s concerts and even flew to Miami on a mini-vacation with him; the two also met his mother among other friends for dinner all within the same week. This article highlighted the glamorous side of Justin Timberlake, showing us his flirty encounters with Cameron Diaz, and his jet-set lifestyle, flying around the country from show to show.

            The second article we chose to look at was featured in People Magazine in June 2004; titled “Justin Timberlake.” This article was featured in the section about “The Top 50 Bachelors” and talked a great deal about his family, and his past relationships, including one with Britney Spears. Justin is well known as a singer, but few know how deeply his ties are to Memphis, Tennessee, his hometown where both his parents and his grandma all still reside. This information also ties back into the economy of the tidbit, when a paper or magazine has new info regarding family life or something new to the public they generally publish a new story with that as the main focus surrounded by facts that were previously known by the general audience. Interviews with several of his family members and even members of *N Sync help show what appears to be the “real” Justin Timberlake, one who is very caring and family oriented, one that most people don’t see when they look as Timberlake as a performer.

            The third article we looked at was featured in People Magazine in September 2006; it was a critic’s review of his recently released CD titled FutureSex/LoveSounds. This article talks about Timberlake’s music career, mainly his two solo albums and his solo career. Focusing on Justin Timberlake as an artist, this article talks about his musical style as a solo artist and who he draws inspiration from and where he gets his motivation to perform the way he does. Citing his inspiration as artists such as Prince, and his CD Purple Rain, Timberlake incorporated that style into songs like “LoveStoned” and “Sexy Ladies.”

            All of these articles focus on a different aspect of Justin Timberlake’s career and way of life. The meaning of Justin Timberlake as explained by these articles is a fairly complex one because they all focus on different parts of not only his career but also his life away from the spotlight. We gathered that while Timberlake is seen as an extremely popular singing artist with a blossoming acting career on the side, he is still portrayed as a humble individual who takes time o be close to the ones he loves, particularly his family. Justin Timberlake appears to be not only a celebrity with a rather successful career, but also a kind-hearted individual who is very concerned with keeping a level head and remembering where he came from and those who helped him get where he is today. Yet another reason fans seem to identify with him in such a tremendous fashion, while he lives the jet-set life of a rock-star, he still has time to visit his grandma for some home cooked meals, making him appear to be extraordinary yet ordinary at the same time.