Timberlake recibe hoy el Hasty Pudding de Harvard

El multifacético Justin Timberlake es honrado hoy viernes por la escuela de teatro Hasty Pudding de la Universidad de Harvard como su Hombre del Año.

Hasty Pudding Man Of The Year Award +31 imágenes

La escuela de teatro Hasty Pudding, la más antigua del país para estudiantes universitarios, reparte estos premios desde 1951. La intérprete Anne Hathaway recogió el galardón a la Mujer del Año la semana pasada. Estrellas como Robert Downey Jr., Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis y Martin Scorsese han recibido esta distinción en ediciones anteriores.

Hasty Pudding Man Of The Year Award, rueda de prensa +45 imágenes

Timberlake, ganador de seis premios Grammy y dos Emmy, es «uno de los artistas de la cultura pop más influyentes», según explicó la entidad en un comunicado. Además, a sus 28 años, rueda actualmente «The Social Network», sobre la evolución de la red social Facebook, creada en el seno del campus de la Universidad de Harvard y que en tan sólo cinco años pasó de ser un programa de uso privado a un fenómeno mundial con más de 200 millones de usuarios.

En Harvard Yard, Cambridge +2 imágenes

Bringing sexy back to Harvard

Hasty Pudding honors top star extraordinaire Justin Timberlake

When sexy returned to Harvard, it came in the form of Justin Timberlake.

Looking dapper under the bright lights of New College Theatre, Hasty Pudding’s Man of the Year took his roast like only a sexy man can: In pink heels and a platinum blonde wig.

Timberlake, 29, was a member of «The Mickey Mouse Club,» and later of the popular boy band ‘N Sync. He sold more than 7 million copies of his debut solo album, «Justified»; and his later album «FutureSex/LoveSounds» sold more than 9 million.

But according to the hosts of the Hasty Pudding club’s annual satirical production, Kelly Conley ’11 and Steve Rola ’11, the man who once famously sang that he was «bringing sexy back» had lost his mojo. Dressing like a woman was just one of the ways Timberlake might reconnect with his sexy side. First, however, the Queen of Pop had to pay him a visit.

Decked out in a cherry red cone bra and bodysuit, Madonna, played by Andrew Cone ’11, brought her sidekick Lady Gaga, Derek Mueller ’10.

«Justin, it’s me, Madge,» said Madonna dancing around Timberlake. «I’ve brought along Lady Gaga, the result of a horrific accident when I tried to clone myself!»

The student-run Hasty Pudding Theatricals have presented their unique brand of theater every year since 1844, pausing during World Wars I and II. In addition to putting on its annual spoofs, the group donates thousands of dollars to the arts programs of Cambridge Public Schools.

Before the night was out, former band mates ‘N Sync stormed the stage, dressed Timberlake in a silver lamé coat, and began a synchronized dance routine. Once they were gone, Timberlake was again confronted with his past.

«Hi there, Justin. Remember me?»

It was Britney Spears, played to girlish perfection by Cliff Murray ’10, who busted onstage in schoolgirl apparel and long blonde braids. Timberlake, who once dated the real Britney, was obliged to feed the pretend Britney vanilla pudding with a plastic spoon.

«This is so nostalgic,» he quipped.

«Alright, we can give him sexy back,» Spears declared. «Only one thing left to do.»

Enter those aforementioned pink heels, which Timberlake wore with pride, shedding his black oxfords and showing off his bright blue striped socks. He also donned a brassier outfitted with shiny gift boxes.

«Well, I’ve got to tell you guys,» he said, «I’ve never felt more like a man.»

Timberlake, who has received multiple Grammy awards, and even won two Emmy awards for his work with «Saturday Night Live,» was awarded the group’s golden pudding pot. He said the show was «cooler than any Grammy or Emmy.»

«Really, truly this is an honor,» he said. «It’s probably already on YouTube.»

Timberlake finds his sexy at Harvard

Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals had their way with Justin Timberlake tonight, as the cross-dressing comedy troupe honored the «SexyBack» singer with a proper skewering. Timberlake, who plays Facebook adviser and Napster co-founder Sean Parker in the upcoming Boston-based film, «The Social Network,» seemed to enjoy the often ribald ribbing. (Actress Anne Hathaway was equally game in receiving the Pudding Pot last week.)

Pudding producers teased Timberlake about his less-than-stellar film career, calling the pop star a triple threat — «He can sing, he can dance, and he goes straight to DVD.» Ouch. Timberlake’s girlfriend Jessica Biel was in the audience to blush and giggle when the Hasty Pudding kids joked that they had asked Biel what size box Timberlake requires (referring to Timberlake’s infamous «Saturday Night Live» skit) — and then brought out a tiny jewelry box that they forced the pop star to strap around his waist.

Other Hasty bits poked fun at Timberlake’s career with ‘NSYNC and, not surprisingly, there were multiple jokes about his longtime romance with Britney Spears. Hasty producers told Timberlake that «sexy had gone missing,» and that they were worried he didn’t have it anymore. «That makes two of us,» Timberlake responded, with a grin.

By the end of the presentation, Timberlake was forced into drag, dancing for the hooting audience in pink high heels. At the post-presentation press conference, a beaming Timberlake admitted that he felt right at home in a woman’s wig and stilettos. «Every time I’ve hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’ I’ve ended up in drag at least once,» he said. Timberlake also took a moment to rib Harvard for forbidding «The Social Network» crew from filming on campus, despite the fact that the story — which is about the creation of Facebook — takes place at Harvard. «I’d like to point out that Harvard did not let us film here,» he said, tisk-tisking into the mike.

Timberlake used his last minutes with the group to describe his Rag & Bone fedora hat to a reporter for the Braille News who couldn’t see it. «It’s gray and it’s beautiful and I’d be happy to get one for you,» Timberlake told him earnestly. Sweet, right?

Timberlake was certainly well fed during his time in Cambridge. Accompanied by his mom, Lynn, stepdad, Paul, Timberlake and Biel lunched with the Hastys at Harvest, where Timberlake was treated to chef Mary Dumont’s roasted organic chicken breast. (Biel, who attended Tufts before dropping out to pursue an acting career, had the cod sandwich, and both had the roasted beet salad and a dessert of ginger snaps and chocolate cookies.)

Timberlake was said to be staying at the Charles Hotel, where security was unusually tight even for a place accustomed to hosting heads of state. We’re told the staff was worried that the hotel’s glassware wasn’t pretty enough, so a few glasses were snagged from Rialto — compliments of chef Jody Adams. Dinner was at UpStairs on the Square, where owners Mary-Catherine Deibel and Deborah Hughes spirited their star patron into the «Jewel Box,» the mostly private dining room in the back of the restaurant. The menu included creamy celery root soup, roasted breast of

Giannone chicken, and chocolate truffle parfait and orange lace cookie and spiced almond dragées. Justin must have liked it. He was spotted doing an impression of Julia Child during the meal.

Crónicas: news.harvard.edu / boston.com