Dear Superstar: Justin Timberlake

“Lesbians!” whoops 21-year-old Justin Timberlake, watching a trailer for the new season of MTV’s Real World in a New York recording studio. “And people getting pregnant! You know, I think this is going to be the raciest season yet.”

If the ’N Sync singer’s enthusiasm for the show seems a little over the top, that’s nothing compared to his excitement over his debut solo album, Justified.

“I think it’s got something for everybody,” he says of the record, which is largely produced by megastar beatmasters the Neptunes. “It’s got that retro-rock, Steve Miller, Eagles-type thing. But it also has elements of Prince and Michael.”

The only time the heartthrob comes across as less than bubbly is when faced with questions from Blender readers about his former relationship with Britney Spears.

“I called her not too long ago just to say hi,” he admits. “We still talk once in a while. We’re friends.”

Which is more than he can say about Creed frontman Scott Stapp.

“I do not like that guy,” he snaps. “ ’N Sync were in a club one time, and he walked up and slapped two of the guys really hard on the back. I was thinking, ‘If he hits me like that, I’m going to fuck him up!’ ”

If ’N Sync were the Red Hot Chili Peppers, who would need the biggest tube sock?
NATRICH, BAYSIDE, NEW YORK
[Laughs] Well, you know I’m going to say myself. I don’t know, man. We’re close, but we’re not that close. I can honestly say that I’ve never seen Joey, Chris, Lance or JC’s penis.

Are you a tits or ass kind of guy?
DONJANE, MILFORD, PENNSYLVANIA
Ass, definitely.

Are you really dating Alyssa Milano? And, if not, can I?
CHRISD, NEWBURGH, IOWA
I’m dating . . . a lot of people. You know, I think when you say you’re dating someone, that means you’re specifically with them — as far as the world is concerned. I guess I’m single right now.

Do you think your ’N Sync bandmate Chris Kirkpatrick ought to kick Eminem’s ass?
JIGGERS99, JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY
I don’t think he ought to. There’s no reason to get bent out of shape about something Eminem says. But I think if they were in a fight, Chris would kick his ass. Chris is a tough little . . . Chris is tough. And he has a Napoleon complex too, so he’s extra tough. His toughness comes from the heart, because he was always the little guy at school — so he always had to stick up for himself.

What CDs are you playing on your stereo right now?
KIM321850, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA
I’m enthused by so many different things. But right now I can’t get Coldplay out of my stereo. I think they’re the greatest band of this generation — it’s between Coldplay and Radiohead.

Do you think Blender was justified in naming ’N Sync’s former manager, Lou Pearlman, as one of Rock’s 25 Most Dastardly Villains of All Time in the October issue?
TRLLESTER6, CORONA, NEW YORK
I saw that. Uh . . . without saying too much . . . yes. What number was he? [Blender tells him 14.] That works.

To see the rest of our readers’ provocative questions and J.T.’s startling answers, pick up the December 2002 issue of Blender.