LATINOMETER
Justin Timberlake

He may be keeping his game on the down-low, but the king of pop is definitely sweatin' us. Hard.

Justin Timberlake is, like, so hot right now. But even the world's biggest popstar recognizes the value of keeping in touch with his, er, Latin roots. From dating an A-list Latina, to jumping on the telenovela-to-mainstream bandwagon, Justin Timberlake is pulling out all the stops to cross over into Latino territory. But not so fast, Justin. First, we have to put you through our rigorous audit to see if you're worthy of Honorary Latino status. We've broken down Justin's vital stats to determine his score on the Latinometer...

Liabilites

Dated Britney Spears. Granted, it was when she was a smokin' hot, blonde pop tart rather than the hot mess she's become, but those matching denim outfits didn't slip past us.
Reportedly has an ego to rival Hugo Chavez's. Just because he has the skills to back it up doesn't mean it's ok to talk down to la gente.
Remember his frosted curls from the *NSYNC days? We do.
Two words: Wardrobe. Malfunction. We're sure there are slicker ways to get a girl to show you her boobs. Just ask Joe Francis.

Assets

Dated Cameron Diaz. Talk about an upgrade from that other blonde.
Makes some damn sexy music, including the club-bumper "Señorita".
Toured with Christina Aguilera to bring us one of the best double-bills this decade.
Knows how to stand up for his boys. When BFF and business partner Juan 'Trace' Ayala was very publicly dumped by his fiancè Elisha Cuthbert, Justin put her on blast by releasing the track "What Goes Around...Comes Around". Sweet revenge and a top 40 hit? Not bad, JT.
Is following Salma Hayek's lead as performer-turned-producer. In March 2008, Justin got the green light to produce an American adaptation of the hit Peruvian comedy My Trouble with Women for NBC. Episodes should hit airwaves sometime next year.

THE VERDICT: PASS!
JT may have made some questionable decisions in the past (girlfriends, hairdos), but homeboy is on top of his game now, and fully embracing his inner Latino. We wouldn't throw him out of bed for eating galletas.

Comments Login or register to post comments

'Really?!? There are so many other REAL Undercover Latinos that would have made for a much better article. Just because someone embraces our culture does not make them a Latino. I admire Mr.Timberlake and am thankful for everything he has contributed however I would have to say he failed this test.' MzCheech, June 22, 2008 - 12:02am

'He may not be Latin but he's adapting a Latin novela and introducing it to an American audience and that speaks for itself. Go ahead JT!! I'm not mad at you.' striff1, June 18, 2008 - 10:25pm

'True Justin is talented and cute and entertaining but come on, he does not have that power packed punched sexual appeal that ONLY a LATIN MAN can have within him, nice try J. Timberlake but no cigar! ' tashi~martinez, June 16, 2008 - 9:42am

'Is latinometer to make non latinos an honorary latino by a certain percentage? Please write about actual latinos and how they have contributed to our culture.' ghernand, June 16, 2008 - 8:14am

'what is the point of this article??? Justin Timberlake.. Latino meter pls be serious he scores a fat zero!!!the whito meter rating for the person who wrote this 100% LOL!!!!' la mona, June 16, 2008 - 4:51am

'This is ridiculous . .We all know JT is not Latino!!! No matter how much he would like to pass off as one, & come on he only dated a half latina who doesn't even know Spanish. . It disapoints me sometimes how this magazine glamourizes/ glorifies individuals who haven't contributed to our community or enrichment and who are even ashamed or are in complete denial about their ethnicity (i.e, Jessica Alba & Cameron Diaz)' Guayabita, June 15, 2008 - 6:12pm

't doesnt matter what your race is music is a universal language lets come togeather and stop the hate. lots of love to you justin and you pass dont let anyone stop you from doing what you do best so to all haters step off asta luego chicas' diane7373, June 14, 2008 - 12:07am

'I don't pass him. He's not Latino.' Anaquel, June 13, 2008 - 10:20pm

'WHOMP WHOMP!!!!' MS-DC, June 13, 2008 - 8:47am