Justin Timberlake for Esquire UK

Posted on Nov 11, 2011 in Fashion

Justin Timberlake for Esquire UK Justin Timberlake featured in the December 2011 issue of Esquire UK magazine photographed by Benni Valsson and styled by Catherine Hayward.

The Timberlake does less than nothing for us, and truth be told, we always found him terribly irritating. This feeling has only gotten more intense as he embarked on Phase 3 of his career: movie star (1: Mouseketeer, 2:Pop singer, deflowerer of pre-crazy Britney).

And this is mostly a terrible editorial coming from Esquire. He wears nothing of interest; nothing that’s been styled to any great extent; and he’s grinning and popping way too much. But for some odd reason, we kind of like this editorial. It’s full of personality. If we were flipping through the magazine, we’d stop on these pictures, even though, as we may have mentioned, we don’t exactly swoon over the guy. He’s got real camera presence; we’ll give him that. It’s kind of a shame they couldn’t style him to be a bit more interesting.

Justin Timberlake for Esquire UK

[Photo Credit: esquire.co.uk]

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Anonymous

I think he’s adorable. I just can’t help it.
The crotch-grabbing shot is a little silly, but I kind of love the one where’s he’s splashing in a puddle and the one where he’s pointing the finger gun.
- http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1326120071 Gaby Ripoll
  
  Ditto on the adorable thing. I love that he doesn’t take himself too seriously. Dick in a Box and Motherlover (and the great SNL sketch where he plays his immigrant ancestor – “It will be gone and he will BRING IT BACK.” So funny.)
  - Anonymous
    
    He’s one of my favorite SNL guests. The first time I saw him on SNL, I had no idea he could be so funny. I love how he’s in ALL the sketches too, whereas some guest hosts only do a couple and they’re not even funny.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1326120071 Gaby Ripoll
      
      “So he will be a girl?” “NO.”
    - Anonymous
      
      Don’t forget the “Single Ladies” sendup! The dude can rock a leotard & pumps combo, too!
      - http://pulse.yahoo.com/_UCLO5V2YD36T7QMPKOC7YXPOFU Erica
        
        For some reason, I also find him hilarious when he is almost-silent Robin on the Barry Gibbs talk show, too. I think he is pretty cute, even though he isn’t really handsome when you really look at him.
    - Anonymous
      
      The Liquorville sketch he did with Lady GaGa is hilarious!
  - Anonymous
    
    I found him forgettable as a pop star, but grew to like him because of his guest spots on SNL – he is funny and that goes a long way.
    - http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1326120071 Gaby Ripoll
      
      Yeah, aping MJ and Usher will do that. I like him as an actor. I think I might watch Friends With Benefits when I need a cheesy romcom fix – apparently it’s not super terrible, it’s got Woody Harrelson in it, and they have chemistry. I’ll take it.
      - Kristen Williamson
        
        It’s actually quite good, I was pleasantly surprised! And Woody Harrelson is amazing in it.
  - Anonymous
    
    I don’t like his music much at all, but I like Justin a lot for these reasons. He’s self-aware and he’s funny. Win.
- Anonymous
  
  Heh, I love the finger guns.
http://twitter.com/ILikeShiny Cindi Williams

I liked this editorial until the last shot. JT clutching his crotch and grimacing? Give me a fucking break.
- Nancy Abrams
  
  Can we please have a caption contest for that last shot?
MilaXX

I love a good shoe on a man and I think the ones he’s wearing here are really nice. I’m not a fangirl of the Timberlake, but I have to admit he does clean up good.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GFMOZFM3WT3T56EZHVZFK7UXSI Ramon

I love the coat even if I could only have worn it when I was twelve and was that skinny.
http://profiles.google.com/laurenjeanstm Lauren St Martin

I love the ones outdoors. But the orange backdrop? Awful. And the last shot. Really? Come on.
- http://twitter.com/ILikeShiny Cindi Williams
  
  The guy in the 3000 dollar suit is going to grab his own crotch? Come on!
  
  (I’m sorry; I never get tired of quoting Arrested Development).
  - http://profiles.google.com/laurenjeanstm Lauren St Martin
    
    Hahahahhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Love it!
http://heartprintandstyle.blogspot.com Vivi N

OMWord, is Justin about to be 30 or 40 years old?!!! EEK! The man is not aging well. And in some of those pictures, he looks tired.

I do know one thing, though? It’ll be nice if he brings out some good music again. Never knew I would find myself saying that considering that I’m a huge BSB fan (lolol) but the man is quite talented…musically. His acting is another story. /
- http://deeplyproblematic.blogspot.com/ RMJ12345
  
  Agree completely. I don’t mind the wrinkles, but the undereye bags are no good.
- http://www.facebook.com/people/Ailsa-Martin/644946901 Ailsa Martin
  
  Agreed. But I do appreciate that they didn’t photoshop all the lines off his face – he does at least look like a real person. I love that one colour outside shot with the coat.
http://graduallygreener.wordpress.com/ GraduallyGreener

He wears a bowtie now. Bowties are cool.
- Michael Colvin
  
  Only if you’re matt smith
- http://onebluetree.blogspot.com/ Sara L.
  
  Just needs a fez.
  - Anonymous
    
    Only if I get a pistol!
- Anonymous
  
  especially with a Stetson
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1046681022 Paula Berman

I do not find him remotely attractive and I hate his music, but I love him as a comedian. I think that’s his true calling. These photos display that aspect of him, and I hope that’s what he focuses on in his newest phase.
up with pod people

I think of him like a cute brother whose hair I want to ruffle and whose success I enjoy with a sort of distant fondness. I’m 99% sure this is due to his gutsy SNL un-self-consciousness.
Sobaika Mirza

Anyone see In Time? It was cringe-worthy seeing him act opposite Amanda Seyfried and Cillian Murphy. Olivia Wilde outdid him in the approximate four minutes she was on screen. I believe I could be more convincing in his role (a young white male Robin Hood-esque figure in a dystopian future. WHO HIRES THIS MAN?
- Anonymous
  
  The only movie I’ve seen him in is The Social Neteork, and I do think he did a terrific job as Sean Parker. Not that the role exactly required, say, emotional depth. In many ways it’s a role similar to so many of his SNL sketches, that of an oddly endearing douche. I guess it could make a decent niche acting career. And given the sorry state of the romantic comedy these days, playing oddly endearing douches may be all the skill set he needs to make a fortune. It would be nice if we can get out of this boy-man phase, though!
  - Anonymous
    
    His casting as Sean Parker is the single greatest stunt casting I’ve ever seen. Talk about irony.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HBS4KWJ6XTPDEL2JMD37ZS5YHA Ben

adorable but jesus, that has to be the most boring editorial i’ve seen this year.
http://twitter.com/angelkutty Rincey

The studio photographs are boring. The outdoor photos are decent but I think the jacket and the architecture are doing the heavy lifting there.
Anonymous

I’ve always found him rather funny and adorable.

BUT, moving beyond that, in this same issue of Esquire UK there is a far superior amazing editorial featuring Tom Hiddleston. You should check that out. He has so much presence and looks amazing in a suit and is just overall SWOON.
Anonymous

Agree with the other comments about his ability as a comedian. He doesn’t bring much as an actor, but as a comic, he is just wonderful. The slew of SNL digital shorts he’s done with Andy Samberg are bring-you-to-your-knees hilarious, and he’s good in the skits too.

I personally find him charming and appealing, especially when he’s got the smile going full-blast. But this editorial could have been so much better. While I love the photos of him laughing, there are just too many flat camera-in-your-face shots.
http://www.facebook.com/chloe.stabler Chloe Stabler

Other than the BW picture with the coat (the 3rd picture), they all seem kind of awkward, mainly because of his facial expressions.
http://twitter.com/OracleKath Kathrine Marlow

He’s kind of awesome, I wish he’d release another album. That being said, I need that coat he’s wearing in the exterior shots. COVET
Anonymous

douche
Anonymous

Wow… his hands… seem to really gravitate to one place.

Actually, though, I like a lot of these pictures. He’s less bland than you might expect, without ever actually edging into “heavy”.
Anonymous

He’s totally boring.

Don’t know where to say this, but daddies, I’m not fond of the new headline font.
Michael Colvin

What the frick is with that last shot of him grabbing his crotch and wincing like that? seriously – does he not realize he looks like a douche?
Anonymous

I don’t find him swoon-worthy at all, but his appeal has been growing on me the past few years. The Dick in a Box video about killed me. Anyone who can be that hilariously ridiculous earns a modicum of respect from me. I did enjoy him in Social Network.

These pics are just okay, although the bow tie one is pretty adorable.
Anonymous

Most of the clothes don’t fit.
- Anonymous
  
  My first thought too, half the stuff looks a size too small.
Anonymous

Does he (or the editors) have some sort of belt-o-phobia? It’s making me nuts.

As for the man himself: I was the right age to be swooning over him in NSync, and it just never made any sense to me. I’m not generally a fan. HOWEVER: he had the gall to be delightfully charming in Friends With Benefits. So I forgive him, just a little bit, for invading my adolescence.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Josefina-Madariaga-Suárez/100002964685796 Josefina Madariaga Suárez

I had an odd vibe from this editorial. With the styling, the background colors and the poses, it feels like a Will Schuester’s photoshoot.
Ebony Dawkins

Despite this editorial, which I do NOT love, I love JT and I believe I always will.
Anonymous

I’d really have preferred it if he could get his hands out of his pants in most of those.
Also, I covet the coat in that first outdoor shot, and the one of him in profile with the finger gun is cute, in a geeky office worker kind of way. (Which, though it might sound like it, is actually not an insult.)
http://www.facebook.com/people/Jessica-TallGirl-Freeman/1043623567 Jessica TallGirl Freeman

I really like all but the first one. Justin seems like the guy you want around to make you laugh, all the time. I have to say, if you’ve seen him on SNL, you know he loves to go for the laugh…even if it’s dressing up like Beyonce in Single Ladies. My vote goes to his personality, which seems to shine in most of these pictures.
Anonymous

ugh. i cannot stand this self-important frat boy. always seems to be trying too hard. pardon lower case, one hand typing (shoulder injury).
CQAussie

This man irritates me to no end. And he’s grabbing his crotch in that last shot. WHAT. THE. HELL. Gross.
Anonymous

Justin Timberlake, the man who makes Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s real-life hamminess look freakin’ demure.
Anonymous

I like the pics… somehow I find him charming…. (but I have to forget about his Britney-past)
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_2CNDPMVO4W23R5TVC2QMTJ5BZE Heather

I don’t get him either – seems too ‘manufactured product’ to me.
Anonymous

The dude’s a performer – I give him credit for that. He just needs to come out of the closet already.
Anonymous

I’ve finally figured out that I only ‘get’ Timberlake when I see him in motion. On talk shows, interviews, even standing around and singing,(ETA:& I can’t remember seeing him try to act, except on SNL, so that takes care of that arena) he’s just like somebody’s brother you meet at a wedding or other event. Perfectly nice, grabs no attention, don’t even remember having met him the first time when you’re introduced again.

In motion, though, he projects something. Something short of sexy, but something, and I think some of these photos capture a little of that.
Anonymous

The last shot: He has a bomb implanted in his bladder and he will trigger an explosion if he pees.
Anonymous

I’ve never understood his appeal. He looks like someone’s irritating kid brother. This photo shoot reinforces rather than changes that notion.
Anonymous

Count me in as another who just doesn’t gt his appeal. I usually can’t resist a blue-eyed man, but he is just Meh.
Anonymous

If it makes you feel any better, I’m pretty sure he didn’t get Britney’s flower.

He gives me the willies, big time, but I do like the monochromatic look with the double-breasted plaid coat.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_JQSQJRAL4YYWB2OZNHNUHKZAEY Christopher

Not a big fan of him either, but he is damn funny on SNL.
http://profiles.google.com/shannonlstewart Shannon Stewart

I like him — he doesn’t take himself seriously and he’s completely aware that his talents have very distinct limits.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1344922354 Eric Scheirer Stott

Nice clothes, they fit him well, but those pants need a belt.
Anonymous

Too bad it wasn’t Andy Samberg.
http://www.facebook.com/dalca4 Denise Alcantara

It’s like he saw Harry Shum, Jr.’s recent editorial and is aping it. Not the same charm though :/
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=2066192 Melissa Mellon

Is it just me, or does he look like Hugh Jackman’s younger brother from some angles? You know, Hugh Jackman’s younger and less sexy brother?
Anonymous

So bored.
http://www.myblackfriendsays.com myblackfriendsays

It will be interesting to see how he looks as he gets older.
http://www.myblackfriendsays.com myblackfriendsays

Also, I just noticed the new logo–I like it (:
Anonymous

The only think I’ve seen him in are skits on SNL, and I rather like his self deprecating humor there. I doubt I’d care for him in larger doses, though, and as a specimen of the male of the species, he does nothing for me.
- Anonymous
  
  Totally agree. He does seem to get more tolerable with the years, but I can’t seem to summon enough interest to figure out why.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Colleen-Robinson/48606025 Colleen Robinson

Oh, thank God I’m not the only one who doesn’t get the big deal about him. He bores me.
http://vhanna26.typepad.com Vera

Love that coat!
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=19801927 Dennis Coyle

Whats with all the crotch grabbing?
- Lauren Maier
  
  That’s what I was wondering!
Anonymous

this man is trying way, way too hard.
Anonymous

Love the colored socks. Reminds me of Fred Astaire.
The crotch grab is vulgar and charmless and has always been vulgar and charmless.
Anonymous

He has a Man-Child thing that may work for some people but does NOT work for me. This editorial seems to be playing to that.
Anonymous

Laziest photoshoot ever. I hate how much these kinds of photographers make a year.
Melanie S.

Weirdly, I feel like I now know what he’s going to look like when he’s 60. He’s always looked a little too youthful for me to imagine it, but something about these really brings out the underlying structure of his face. (He doesn’t really look older here, there’s just something about the range of expressions…)
- Anonymous
  
  Interesting that you say this, I was thinking that he may be one of those men who as he grows older, will have more interesting character in his face. I also think he might look better with slightly longer hair.
  
  But this editorial is rather cheesy.
Anonymous

His gift is SNL hosting. Definitely not gifted at modeling.
Anonymous

I wasn’t a JT fan until I saw him a few times on SNL. The guy has incredible stage presence and comedic timing. And he seems quite down to earth and not afraid to make fun of himself/look silly.
- Anonymous
  
  oh, and check out his History of Rap (1-3) skits with Jimmy Fallon
  - http://karensbooksandchocolate.blogspot.com/ Karenlibrarian
    
    My favorite was the Barry Gibb Talk Show with Jimmy Fallon. I love it when he can’t keep a straight face.
Anonymous

I totally read “grinning and popping” as “grinning and pooping” at first! I guess I’m tired.
Anonymous

I’m by no means a fan but I’ll admit he does have a strong camera presence. He’s also got damn good comedic timing/talent. Now what’s with that last shot? Does he have a UTI? Burning boils? He should get that checked out STAT.
http://tigergray.blogspot.com/ Tiger Gray

I think he’s going for eyebrow wiggling cheesy, as if he’s ironically aware of how silly he looks in some of these shots, but he just looks cheesy to me. I like the shots where he’s a bit more somber, my favorite being the one of him in that plaid peacoat type creature. Can I just say, I WANT THAT COAT.
Anonymous

I hate him. WTF is up with the crotch photo? Holdin’ in your boys there JT? I do like the outside shots.
Anonymous

The last shot ruined the whole thing for me
http://www.facebook.com/Cookie.Taz Aisa Ginger Jake Psenicnik

like the pics, a little silly, but still cute. I was just thinking, justin timberlake is a pretty canadian sounding name
http://twitter.com/coheny Coelha

He’s cute. Sorry, but there’s no way around that.
Anonymous

Saw this right after the Katie Holms recap–his personality makes this. I recognize she’s in an advertisement, but she would be so much more likeable if she’d lighten up!
http://www.facebook.com/people/Susan-Maguire/1286325876 Susan Maguire

love the shoes…
Anonymous

Why is he always sticking his hands in his pants?
Anonymous

He needs to wear less clothing. Otherwise he serves no purpose whatsoever.
Anonymous

Not much clothing variety in this set. He looks good in the suit though…should be wearing similar to his movie premiers and stop with the outdated and juvenile boy band look.

As for JT…I’ve never really cared one way or the other for him…ambivalent I guess, however I do recall enjoying him on SNL, and he seems like a likable enough kind of guy.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1077090078 Megan Sullivan

He only looks good in the outdoor ones. He looks super pasty and just kind of strange in the others.
http://twitter.com/polevaulter94 Renee Alexander

What the heck does he have with his crotch?! Anyways, agreed that he should have been styled more, he’s not very interesting and it all looks corny.

Except the third pic down, with the coat. That’s cute.
Anonymous

Couldn’t get Harry Shum eh Esquire? Who’s peen does he suck that STILL they try to make him happen?
Anonymous

i know people really like him & i dont hate him or anything, not at all, i never even think about him.
but i do think [& maybe it's just cos i live in LA, i dont know] that people like him cos he reminds them of guys they from their office or their school or their coffee bar or their neighborhood or wherever, guys whom they could reasonably have a shot at dating. same for ryan reynolds. & probably for a lot of other celebguys whose names & faces i dont remember as they jumble together into a gelatinous lump buffeted about, slowly & along w/ a lot of other things, by the tired windmills of my mind.

ps. however: his girlfriend, “the most beautiful woman in hollywood” [or whatever. gag me w/ a 2x4], does annoy.
http://twitter.com/poptartsjen Pop Tarts Jen

I just can’t help myself – I love me some Timberlake!!! You’re right that it’s not too thrilling on its face, but I just love his camera presence and personality, and I love how you can tell that he’s not really taking himself too seriously. And he really cleans up nice – much better than some red carpet appearances in recent memory.
Anonymous

I never was a fan, but he used to be cute. He looks like he is in great shape, but his face is not aging well.
Anonymous

He should always wear an overcoat–they do something nice for him that I can’t quite explain.

He still looks kinda like a serial killer, though.
http://twitter.com/ericibid eric

COVET the blue tartan-ish coat. COVET.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Catherine-Rhodes/602850414 Catherine Rhodes

Um, what’s the point here?
http://profiles.google.com/sara.e.munoz Sara Munoz

But the pictures highlight a key part of his appeal- goofball. Whoever booked him to host SNL for the first time should get a raise. The boy is hilarious, who knew? I’ve never been into Justin’s music (although I find his voice incredibly sexy) or movies, but I look forward to his SNL appearances.
Anonymous

He really needs a hairline. That sort of helmet head thing is weird. I don’t feel anything but “Trying Way Too Hard” in this editorial. The only photo I like is the one of him splashing in the fountain.
Anonymous

I only find only the rooftop shots to be even mildly interesting, and that last shot looks like it’s from an ad for Valtrex.
Anonymous

I love him but these poses are just too…jokey to me
Anonymous

>cuts a hole in a box….
Anonymous

Yuck.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_5UQHEKG5EDX4T6NMARUC565TPQ Amy

“truth be told, we always found him terribly irritating. This feeling has
only gotten more intense as he embarked on Phase 3 of his career: movie
star.” Yep, I agree completely. How about giving actual actors a shot at leading male roles? Even “pretty boy” roles do not suit this goofball.
plinkiedoodle

Love it! He’s finally growing up!
Anonymous

I guess it’s better than the usual guyditorial. (He could use some moisturizer.)
Mary Stansbury

He looks like a more skanky Will Schuster, if that’s possible. Can’t stand him.
Anonymous

Didn’t he used to be cute. Oh come on, he really was cute a few years ago…but does nothing for me now. Clothes are dull…must be the Inc. Collection from Macy’s.
Anonymous

I actually like his personality – he is self effacing and ready to laugh at himself. I HATE his little “pretend beard” he has going all the time. Shave, dammit.
http://www.facebook.com/shawn.eric.hill Shawn Hill

Tweed coat: very nice. He must hate those beltless pants, though, as he seems to keep trying to take them off.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_66KPZ36LMHMRQOX3HIJGHRNNUA MandyM

Nope. He’s a douche.
Anonymous

Grab your crotch once, shame on Justin Timberlake. Grab your crotch twice, shame on Esquire.

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Justin Timberlake for Esquire UK

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