Hallelujah for JT

I’ve always been a huge fan of Justin Timberlake. I mean, it’s kind of hard not to be—especially these days (meaning, now that he’s no longer in a boy band and wearing matching denim outfits with his train wreck of an ex, Britney Spears). He is musically gifted, can dance like a mo’fo’ and is fantastically funny to boot. What’s not to like? And thanks to the genius comedy of SNL Digital Shorts Dick In A Box and Motherlover, even the guys who really wanted to hate the hell out of him because of the whole N Sync thing have come around.

The thing is, I personally think there are three key character traits that a person has to have to be universally well liked: confidence, kindness and humility. A person who possesses all three of these qualities will never have a problem attracting friends and admirers, and will always garner the respect of others. Justin Timberlake has these attributes in spades, which is why he has been so successful at winning over both men and women. Chicks dig him because he’s hot, he’s got moves, he’s funny and he’s sweet as pie. Guys dig him because he’s cool, he’s got a dirty, playful sense of humor, he’s got mad game and because above all, Justin Timberlake is not afraid to be a complete dork and make fun of himself (Hint: That last part is a powerful combination of the whole confidence and humility thing. You should try it sometime… you’ll be amazed at the results).

There’s no question that confidence, kindness and humility are a big part of the reason why Justin Timberlake has managed to sidestep all of the typical Hollywood bullshit, rise above the melee and experience one incredible success after another. He’s professional, polite and gracious, and he is goofy and self-deprecating at all the right moments. This is all leading up to me pointing out his latest act of exemplary behavior. Justin recently performed Leonard Cohen’s much-covered “Hallelujah” with Matt Morris at the Hope for Haiti Now Telethon. His rendition of the song is incredibly moving. Once again, the incomparable JT proves that his heart and his actions are always in exactly the right place: