Justin Timberlake has hinted there's no room for 'N Sync in his future because he doesn't want to "do teen pop again."
Speaking exclusively to rock bible Rolling Stone, who named the singer one of their People of The Year, Timberlake reveals he isn't planning an 'N Sync reunion anytime soon.
His remarks conflict with those of bandmate Lance Bass, who revealed to fans late last month he was penning new tracks for the next 'N Sync album.
But Justin says, "I think that whole time I was living in some small shape of oblivion. I thought, 'They're just putting that teen-pop label on us because they don't understand.' I look back now and realize that that's exactly what it was.
"I've had some of the greatest experiences with those guys, but do I think that what I've done with Justified is 10 times better than anything 'N Sync has ever done? Yes I do."
Meanwhile, also on Rolling Stone's People of The Year list are Justin's ex Britney Spears, Clint Eastwood, 50 Cent, Johnny Depp, Jessica Simpson and Uma Thurman.
Justin Timberlake is being sued for $9.6 million by his former tour manager -- who has accused the singer of racial abuse.
Ibrahim Duarte claims Justin -- along with other members of his former band 'N Sync -- used racial slurs toward him and other black employees.
The irate employee fumes, "After four years of building them into one of the hottest bands in the world, they treated me less than human. The popularity and money went to their heads and their true feelings about having a black front man became apparent.
"I endured their constant racial slurs, jokes and belittling comments to make it work. But they just threw me to the curb like yesterday's trash."
Band member Lance Bass allegedly insisted Duarte travel in a separate tour bus because he was ashamed of having a black tour manager, and JC Chasez would shout, "You black guys always f-- up."
When Darrin Henson, the group's black choreographer, collected an award, the band called him "the dark member of 'N Sync."
Duarte also claims black sound engineer Dale Ramsey had to endure jokes about his complexion, and security guard Kenneth Hunter was teased "in a racially offensive manner" -- before both were dismissed.
The aggrieved tour manager claims he was sacked after the group's No Strings Attached tour in 2000 because 'N Sync were ashamed of having a black "front man" -- and was replaced by a white man with "significantly less experience."
Duarte adds, "In my 25 years in this industry, I've never been treated like this by any other artist."
BODYGUARD DEFENDS TIMBERLAKE AGAINST RACIST ACCUSATIONS
Justin Timberlake's former bodyguard has leapt to the singer's defense amid allegations he is a racist -- labelling the star "the blackest white boy I know."
Kenneth Hunter, who was employed by Justin's former band 'N Sync for four years until 1998, spoke out after former tour manager Ibrahim Duarte launched a $10.2 million lawsuit against the band, claiming he was the victim of racial abuse at their hands.
In his suit, Duarte claims, "After the band terminated the employment of security professional Kenneth Hunter, they made fun of the way Mr. Hunter spoke and mimicked his accent in a racially offensive way."
But Hunter, who has stayed pals with Justin and even met up with him in Frankfurt, Germany last month, has rubbished these claims.
He says, "I never heard that. They never said anything derogatory about me. I got let go of because of political stuff between security and management. Justin's whole security staff are basically black, even now. Any suggestion Justin is racist is an outright lie.
"There were no racial slurs or anything. I've always said he's the blackest white boy I know. His characteristics, the way he sings, the whole soul vibe about him. I've never really witnessed a Caucasian person that had those characteristics. It's also the people he hangs out with -- he's got a lot of black friends.
"I never heard him or any of the other band members say anything [derogatory].
"Duarte's a good tour manager. I'll leave it at that. I've got nothing against him."
PLANS for an *NSYNC greatest hits album have stalled because - surprise, surprise - Justin Timberlake is slightly reluctant to go back to his boyband roots.
We hear the rest of the group are all ready to sing their parts on three new songs, to join 12 "classics", but JT isn't exactly in a rush to get back to the recording booth, and apparently a senior executive from their label, Jive, failed to persuade Justin, 23, to think again.
BREAKING OUT: Timberlake doesn't want to go back to the band
An insider tells us: "There's meant to be a greatest hits coming out in November and a possible Christmas TV special, but it's all now up in the air.
"Justin's had so much success that he doesn't need to get back with the band. He's also very busy and finding the time to do stuff with the band is hard, but if he really wanted to make it work it could."
He owuld make money from it. I don't see how it's going to hurt his career to do three songs with the band that made him famous in the first place. He needs to get off his high horse and get real.
him and Nsync are doing their basketball game that they do every year but this year...they are singing at it...do you know this is their first time singing together since the grammy's of like 2003...or so....
THERE were rumours of a falling out, but Justin Timberlake and his former *NSync bandmate Lance Bass might soon be seeing a lot more of each other. Word reaches us that Lance has just shacked up with actress Jennifer Gimenez - who just happens to be a good pal of JT's girlfriend, Cameron Diaz. Chin up, Justin, double-dating's all the rage.
'N Sync star Joey Fatone has grown to reluctantly accept his pal and bandmate Justin Timberlake is better looking than he is, after observing fans' reactions.
Fatone admits the things female admirers say to him are nowhere near as flirtatious as what Timberlake hears from fans on a regular basis.
He says, "A young girl goes up to Justin, 'Oh my God, you're so cute, I want to marry you.' She goes to (me)... 'Joey, my mom loves you and wants to cook you dinner.'"
Pop heartthrob Justin Timberlake has reportedly told his 'N Sync bandmates he doesn't want to appear on their long-awaited comeback album.
The hitmakers took a hiatus in 2002 to pursue solo singing careers and acting and astronaut dreams. While Timberlake's debut solo album, Justified, has been an international hit, his bandmates have failed to live up to the success of the band.
JC Chasez's disc Schizophrenic suffered lackluster sales, Lance Bass' hopes of going to space with the Russian Space Agency were crushed and Joey Fatone's Broadway run in "Little Shop of Horrors" is coming to an early end.
Timberlake, Chasez, Bass, Fatone and Chris Kirkpatrick discussed their next album -- which is supposed to be released later this year -- following their annual charity Challenge for the Children basketball tournament on July 25 in Florida, where Timberlake broke the news about his plans.
A source tells People magazine, "Justin said he's not in the mood and doesn't think it will work. He doesn't want any part of it."
Timberlake's announcement shocked his bandmates, who are reportedly so incensed, they are refusing to talk to him.
The source adds, "They aren't really talking to Justin. They haven't taken it so well."
The band's record label Jive insist the group haven't split, saying, "There's no album scheduled for this year from either 'N Sync, Justin Timberlake or JC Chasez. The group is still together."
I think that even if they are together now, it won't be long before they break up. I hope for Justin's sake his solo career goes well. I don't think the rest of N*Sync would let him come crawling back if in five years he is nobody.
