Los lectores de «Now Magazine» preguntan a Timberlake

Is it true you asked for your naked bum to be removed from your film Black Snake Moan?
Well [laughs], one of the very first conversations I had with the director of the movie was about nudity. In the first cut you could see my ass, but I had a word and now that’s out. Sorry!

Are you a mummy’s boy at heart?
I am! My mom’s an amazing woman who gave up a lot for me to have this career. She travelled across the world with me for a year and a half when I was starting out. She’s always treated me like I was her friend and her equal – she never talks down to me. Every experience I had where I messed up, we’d talk about it as friends. She’s one of the most encouraging people I know. She’s also one of the worst shoppers I know, but I love that about her!

What’s life really like on the road?
Touring is great fun, but it’s also strange. Earlier this year in the States I’d see 20,000 people at a venue, but afterwards I’d be all alone on a tour bus. I’m just sat there with my dogs and, although it’s kinda nice being in a tour bubble, it’s also weird.

Why did you split up with Cameron Diaz?
I’m not going to get into all that because this will just become an entire soundbite on our relationship. You make comments and it feeds people a specific image and I don’t want to give people the opportunity to turn me into just one thing. Sorry.

What’s your most prized possession?
I think possessions end up possessing you. I used to buy a lot of necklaces and diamond watches, but I don’t have anything that’s stuck with me really. My most prized possession is probably my voice. I try to take care of it as much as I can.

Did you find it difficult creating the voice of an animated character in Shrek?
It’s weird acting all the scenes out by yourself in a little sound booth. You have to trust that what you’re doing fits in with what everyone else is doing because you don’t get to see the other vocal artists. I had a great time doing it and I’m very proud of the role.

Have you spoken to Britney Spears recently?
I called her because I was worried about her. She’s a great woman. I’m rooting for her, but it seems she’s getting things under control now. Everyone’s rooting for her. That’s all I’m going to
say.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
I always remember my father telling me: ‘Don’t work and work and work until you’re 60 years old’. stop and enjoy your life. You have enough money to live comfortably and you can do the things you want to do, so enjoy yourself’. I was 21 when he sat down and told me that and everything changed from then on. I’m less serious about everything now – especially my career.

Which do you prefer: acting or singing?
They’re both completely different – don’t make me choose! I love playing live shows with a band – there’s nothing like it in the world. But then, there’s nothing like making a film, there’s nothing like writing in the studio… I love it all.I also love that I have my fingers on all of those things because they inspire each other.

Are you an animal lover?
Yes, I’ve got two boxer dogs. The girl is called Brennan – which, in my opinion, is a boy’s name, but she was named by my assistant, so I didn’t have any input – and the boy is called Buckley, named after one of my favourite musicians Jeff Buckley. Check out his debut album – it’s called Grace and it’s amazing. He drowned in the Mississippi river in Memphis when he was 30 years old. He’s been a big influence on me and my music.

What’s the secret of your success?
I make fun of myself and that might have something to do with it. I do things like show up at the Kids’ Choice Awards and get slimed. I make jokes about myself in interviews. Maybe it’s not taking myself too seriously.

What’s next for you?
I’m not writing for myself just now, although I’m doing some work with Madonna and Rihanna. I really want to write some country music because that’s where I grew up – Tennessee. It won’t be for a while though.

Do you ever read your horoscopes?
If I happen to be flipping through a magazine and I see it I’ll read it for fun. They’re so vague that you can always relate it to something. I’ve never had a tarot card reading before, but I had my palm read once and she was pretty dead on. I was amazed.

What are you up to after your tour? Why don’t you pop over to my place for a cup of tea and a nice little break?
I’m going to be on tour around the world until the end of the year and after that I don’t know what I’m doing… Actually, the only thing I really want to do is take a break at the end of the tour. A nice little break sounds amazing, so maybe!

Who would you most like to duet with?
Coldplay are the modern Beatles, so i’d love to do a duet with Chris Martin. It would have to be something original, and I know I could pull it off.

Do you ever see yourself settling down and getting married?
I can’t answer that! If it comes along and you’re in love with someone, then you know. But until then, we’re all searching. I think when you meet that certain person you’ll know it.

Are you environmentally conscious?
very much so. We’ve found a way to carbon-neutralise my tour, which I’m very excited about – I’m going to offset the tour buses, the planes and everything. I’ll find somewhere where they need trees and I’ll plant them.

When did you realise you wanted to be a singer?
When I was eight, I asked my mum if I could take voice lessons. I remember the day she said to me: ‘If you really want to do this, I’m going to pay for you to have them. But don’t mess me around because if you’re going to do it, you’ve got to be serious about it’. So I got music lessons, which was one of my best decisions ever.

What do you want for breakfast? I’ll get it in…
Erm… I eat a lot of cereal with milk. what’s my favourite? This cereal in the States called Cap’n Crunch.