There are few people who had a better year in 2011 than Justin Timberlake. He starred in the films “Friends With Benefits” and “Bad Teacher,” won two Emmys for his appearances on “Saturday Night Live,” shared in a Screen Actors Guild Award for the cast of “The Social Network,” got into the social media game investing in Myspace, took home a few Nickelodeon Kids Choice and Teens Choice Awards, partnered with Target for a limited edition of his William Rast clothing line, and was named Creative Director of Calloway Golf. On the personal front, he also got engaged. Yep, he’s a busy guy.
JT is on the cusp of the Millennial generation (born in 1981), and typifies many of their ideals.
He’s transitioned from child actor (Mickey Mouse Club) to boy band front man/teen heartthrob (*NSYNC) to solo artist to fashion label and restaurant owner to film actor, all without so much as a single misstep. Like many Millennials, his career arc has been a bit random. He’s had a wide range of jobs that take advantage of his broad skill set. Most Millennials won’t stay in the same line of work their whole lives. They, too, have a wide range of interests, fueled by their ability to explore any topic online, and like to put the knowledge they develop to work, whether as a full-time career or an entrepreneurial side project.
JT is also non-controversial. He’s not squeaky clean, but unlike a lot of other famous young stars, he’s not had a major meltdown, drug problem, or body image issue. He’s a pretty regular guy, aside from the whole millionaire celebrity thing. That’s how Millennials view themselves as well — regular people, but stars in their own right. They could be discovered any day now by making it on a reality TV show or turning that little idea into a massive Internet sensation.
He’s not too grown up, but also not too childish. Like his peers, JT still embraces being a kid, but knows when it’s time to be a grown up. As Millennials enter their 20s, and approach their 30s, they’re torn about giving up the activities they enjoyed while younger (playing video games, snowboarding, gorging on Doritos during an all-night TV couch fest). Millennials define “being an adult” differently than previous generations. It’s not about settling down and giving up childhood pleasures; it’s about acting responsibly when the situation dictates. They can get married and have children, but still have nights out with the girls and spend afternoons playing video games with their buddies.
Millennial guys and girls might be such big fans of Justin Timberlake because they can see themselves in him. They revere him as a role model more than any other peer, and, in their eyes, he can do no wrong. Something tells us JT is gonna have a pretty big year in 2012 as well.
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