He's a member of one of the biggest boybands on Planet Pop and the earth's biggest female teen popster thinks he's "the cutest thing in the world". As he wakes up in his hotel room in North Carolina (after an energetic *NSYNC concert the night before), MAX gets on the gawkbox with Justin Timberlake to find out if the world is really his oyster!
Max: Fine. How about you?
JT: I'm good!
Max: Great! The 'It's Gonna Be Me' video is really brilliant...
JT: Thank you!
Max: The "puppet" concept is present again. Is it a delebrate statement proclaiming that *NSYNC is by no means a manufactured boyband, but are artistes with "No Strings Attached"?
JT: Yeah, that's definetly the hidden meaning behind the whole thing. You hit it. Perfect! That's definetly the hidden meaning.
Max: Is it important for people to know the message?
JT: Yeah, I think it was important for us to let people know that.
Max: Most of the focus on *NSYNC is primarily on you. Do you feel the burden of being looked upon as the best looking and most talented member of the group?
JT: (Without hesitation) No, everybody got their own thing. I don't feel any burden.
JT: (Sharp intake of breathe) Well, she's a good friend of mine, I see her from time to time, let's leave it at that.
Max: Fine. How do you feel about the paparazzi capturing private moments of the both of you together-and selling it to the world to see?
JT: That's very annoying...(laughs nervously)
Max: But do you take it as being part of celebrity's life?
JT: Well, I mean, I honestly wish that the only thing that you have to sacrifice is your private time.
Max: Do you get irritated by the fact that everyone wants to know everything about you?
JT: Yeah, I mean everybody does. But no, it's not annoying. It's kind of disturbing when somebody follows you around and takes pictures of you when you are trying to just relax. 'Cos we are people like everybody else. When somebody wants to know everything about you, that's not annoying, that's flattering.
Max: How about overzealous fans, like the girl who reportedly forked out over US$1000 (S$1,750) on ebay for a piece of toast allegedly belonging to you?
JT: (Laughs) I don't know what to say to that! I thought that was kind of funny.
Max: What's the weirdest thing a fan has done to you?
JT: I think the French toast is up there on the list. That one was pretty weird.
Max: What's the feeling like when you perform to, say 50 to 60,000 people?
JT: Ah, it's amazing! I never thought anything like this can happen. it's a good feeling to walk out on stage, it's really really amazing, I can't even describe to you!
JT: There's a lot of things that we haven't done but we wish we can do, but I don't want to tell them to you 'cos I want you to see the show everytime.
Max: Any embarrassing moments on stage to reveal?
JT: Erm, my pants have fallen down before. That was pretty funny!
Max: Backstreet Boys' AJ McLean was quoted in Rolling Stone saying that once the new BSB album is out, it will be "bye bye bye" indeed to *NSYNC. What do you have to say to that?
JT: Well, erm, I wish them the best of luck.
Max: O-kay. You starred in a TV movie called Model Behaviour. Do you have plans to act full-time?
JT: No, not full-time. I think we all do stuff on the side. It's fun for us. Chris has a clothing line and Lance has a management company. It was something to do on the side, it was fun for me.
Max: When you go shopping, do you get harassed?
JT: I don't go shopping because it's too hard. It's too hard to go out in public like that.
Max: Do *NSYNC read their fan mail?
JT: Actually, a lot of it we get at the venue. We read that. But it's very hard to read all of it but we read as much of it as we can.
Max: Last question - as I only have 10 mins - Britney says you're a good kisser, can you say the same about her?
JT: Yes! (Laughs heartily)
Max: One more thing: in her liner notes, Britney claims that she likes to twist someone's hair. Was she talking about you?
JT: (pauses) I... have...no...idea.
Max: We will! Okay, Justin, hope to see you in Singapore soon!
JT: Okay, alright! Bye!
Max: Hello, is that Justin? This is MAX calling!
JT: Alright. How are you?
Max: Alright. Can I ask you the million dollar question then?
JT: What's that?
Max:...what's the real deal between you and Britney Spears?
Max: Do you guys have a ritual before going on stage?
JT: Well, we pray before we go on.
Max: And is there something you haven't done in a show yet that you wish you can do?
Max: Do you go on-line?
JT: I don't go on-line as much as Chris. Chris goes online a lot.
Max: Are you sure?
JT: I have no idea. Maybe you want to ask her!
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