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Justin Timberlake Keeps His Promise; Writes Moving Letter About Attending Marine Ball

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» 54 comments

So it turns out Justin Timberlake is more than just a pretty face…and a talented singer…and dancer…and actor (crap, some people are born lucky!). This past weekend, the sexy-restoring multi-hyphenate showed up in Virginia to make good on his promise to attend the Marine Corp. Ball as one of the Marine’s dates.

Meanwhile the rest of us celebrated Veteran’s Day by making Spinal Tap jokes. Sigh.

For those of you that don’t remember, this story stems from back in the heady days of last July. A Marine from North Carolina posted a YouTube video asking the actress Mila Kunis to join him at his Ball. The topic was broached while Kunis and Timberlake were at a press event for a movie that, four months later, none of us can remember (seriously, without cheating, try to say the title out loud right now) and, after Timberlake egged her on, Kunis agreed to go. This inspired a young woman, Cpl. Kelsey De Santis, to use the same technique to invite Timberlake. As pictures now surfacing prove (including the one above from Radar Online), he did just that.

Timberlake wrote about his experience on his website. Here’s the beginning of his account:

To all my family, friends and fans -

I’m writing this out to all of you after attending an event that turned out to be one of the most moving evenings I’ve ever had…

I had the honor and privilege last night of attending The Basic School Instructor Battalion 236th Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Greater Richmond Convention Center with Corporal Kelsey DeSantis…

I knew I would have an evening that I wouldn’t forget… Something I could tell my friends about. What I didn’t know was how moved I would be by the whole experience.

I’ve always been very vocal about my support of our Armed Forces. I’ve always felt like they offered us the opportunity to live our lives freely without the fear that so many other nations have to endure still to this day. And, they do it without asking for anything in return. I had this very feeling walking into this dinner. So, to say I was stoked to be there would be more than accurate.

As the evening got started, I met Kelsey and we made our way to the ballroom where the Marine Ball was going to be held. I stopped in an area designated as a kind of VIP for some of the officers, I think. I took some photos and shook hands with some of the men and women who take such great care of our freedom. It was nice to be there already.
Then, we moved to the ballroom where the dinner was set up… For a short while, I had the opportunity to sit with Kelsey, get to know her and get a tiny glimpse into what her life as a Marine was like. She talked about her training in mixed martial arts with a passion, a discipline, and a respect. It reminded me of how I hear my favorite athletes talk about their sport or, how I hear my favorites among my peers in music and film talk about their craft.
We sat in this huge ballroom and were the only ones there as, we had beaten the rest of the soldiers who were on their way in. So, we got a decent amount of time to chat before the ceremony started.

She seemed to me to be so humble and honest… Very cool. She also simultaneously seemed like she was nervous about the whole evening and if I was going to enjoy myself. “Are you ok?” she asked 2 or 3 times. “I hope you are having fun. I know you will once my crew of friends get here to the table.” I have to tell you, it’s not every day that I meet a 23 year old girl and she’s more worried about if I’m having fun or if I’m comfortable! It hit me all of a sudden that these were the type of people that look after us and our freedom… Humble, concerned for others before themselves… This was the type of person our Marine Corps was building. I was really blown away.

He’s an eloquent writer too? God, I hate that lucky SOB!

Watch a news report on Timberlake’s appearance from Virginia’s WTVR below:

(h/t BuzzFeed)

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  • http://twitter.com/lizmckenzie55 Liz McKenzie

    Not a fan but then I’m really not a fan of any celebrity but this was a class act.  Kudos to you Mr. Timberlake for taking time to honor those who truly need to be honored.  No offense but your silly award shows are, well, just silly.

  • Michelle

    Very classy indeed. 

  • Wake up America

    Every now and then I fine entertainers to be down ro earth. I think what Justin did for this young lady was admirable. She will never forget that night and again Justin showed true character. Kodos to Justin!

  • Anonymous

    Nice…

  • Anonymous

    Good deed on his part.

  • Kid Dynamite

    That Marine is pretty hot (if that’s his date in the photo). I hope he tapped that.

  • Dankenton

    Why Kodos?  What’s wrong with Kang?  

  • http://mediamatters.org/ Leedog

    Good deed by Timberlake!!

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Imnot-Tim/100002377097501 Imnot Tim

    how classy a comment…lord, i wish she could reach thru the net and kick your ass.

  • Pablo

    Very nice, very classy. Much respect for that.

  • Anonymous

    They are both two stand-up young Americans as far as I’m concerned. By keeping his commitment to this brave young lady, Mr. Timberlake has drawn much-needed attention to the hard work, bravery, and sacrifice of all of our young servicemen and servicewomen.

    I hope they both had a great time because they both deserve it. To Corporal De Santis – Thank you for your service!

  • NYC Golfer

    Oh AND he’s a great golfer! I had the pleasure of meeting him through work two separate times and he could not have been nicer or more polite. He is a good man, which is all the more remarkable considering he grew up in the performance kid scene with Brittany Spears et al. 

  • http://twitter.com/MerryMarjie MerryMarjie

    Way to go, Justin!  And here I thought you were just another air-headed young celebrity.  Thank you for showing us the REAL people who are out there serving our country every day because they deserve as much attention as all the Brittanys and Gagas get.

  • http://www.facebook.com/sootsme Ed Williams

    I think she did just as much for Justin. He said he was honored, and rightly so.

  • Mad Dem Deb

    I always knew I loved Justin Timberlake for a good reason.  I even had a dream about him. LOL.  He seems so normal!  Ulta-talented, but normal and down-to-earth.

  • Anonymous

    De Santis is classy, her fellow Marines are classy, Timberlake is classy. Kid Dynamite is not and never will be. 

  • Anonymous

    Nicely done Mr Timberlake. Nicely done.

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Alex-Hollins/660979174 Alex Hollins

    Every female Marine I’ve met (umm, 2-3 dozen?) have indeed been hot as hell. Hotter for the fact that they can kill you with just their pinky finger.

  • Kid Dynamite

    Complimenting a woman on her beauty is a good thing in the non-retarded world. Come visit us sometime.

  • sara

    Beautiful unseen photos of your celebs……..

    http://picshits.blogspot.com/

  • Anonymous

    Wow, she looks smokin’ hot in her dress uniform. She was a little rough in her video invitation but I guess that’s what you look like when you’re deployed.  It was great of him to do this and I’m sure he made it a memorable evening for her along with all the other Marines who were there in attendance. Good job, Justin!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ZIQS6YEA47QFXGOR4JWUBU2QRM Shark City

    Very Classy. Not in to your stuff (music) but i appreciate your style! thank you.

  • Anonymous

    This sets a bad
    precedent…in which people will start making YouTube videos and write
    letters to celebrities begging them to go to proms, dances, etc., with
    them, and if they don’t, the people will complain “but Justin Timberlake
    did it on such and such day.” This will backfire among celebrities.

  • Anonymous

    but it will create an avalanche of people writing to celebrities to attend functions, and if they cannot it can build resentment and possible unhinge people who may be unstable.

  • Anonymous

    why? Now he is going to be deluged with people, from military people to everyday celebrity people, asking celebrities to proms, balls, dances, etc., and if the celebrity refuses or ignores the request, could build resentment and anger and possibly could backfire if the person is unhinged.

  • Anonymous

    why does being in the military make one entitled to go to a dance with a celebrity? Couldn’t the lady have asked a regular person instead of a celebrity? It elevates celebrities to people so important, it is a “trump card” to go with one of them to a military ball.

  • Anonymous

    what makes them entitled to date a celebrity?

  • Anonymous

    No, he accepted because the press would have turned against him if he refused due to previous commitments. Let’s be real…he was cornered into doing this.

  • anaisninja

    Wow.Cynical much? He’s and adult. He can do whatever he wants, whether it makes him look bad or not. Whatever his reasons for going, he went. Clearly he got as much out of the experience as his date did, if not more.

  • Anonymous

    I am disgusted with the lady Marine because she chose a man merely because he was a celebrity. Many men, both military and civilian, would have been proud to accompany her. But she is caught up in the cult of celebrity and thus upstaged her fellow Marines by having someone “famous” as her date rather than a man who would truly care about her.

  • Anonymous

    Amen to that. He better have. Soldier or not, she’s a cutie.

  • Anonymous

    You presume she knew for a fact he would accept. 

  • Anonymous

    Not really. There’s a prominent actress who declined a similar invite and nothing happened to her. 

  • Anonymous

    After Mila Kunis stupidly accepted the invite by that cocky Marine, a female soldier immediately made a video when the press was still hot, forcing Timberlake to accept.

  • Tito Esposito

    You know, there’s crazy – and then there’s batshit crazy.

  • Tito Esposito

    For a young kid, he’s sure got some old school chops in the class department. You know Bob Hope is smiling down from heaven at this.

  • Anonymous

    Justin Timberlake has been in the business long enough to be able to handle a few fruits coming his way.

    He did something for the benefit of his country and all it cost him was time…

    Time, to be with a willing and attractive servicewoman at a Milatary Ball…

    …Tough call for Timberlake, but he handled it okay!

  • Chauncy Gardner

    Cool! All you naysayers STFU.

  • Anonymous

    Ultimately if I had to have one hope it is that his fans see how much class he has,read his words,and emulate his actions.

    Imagine if we could gain a whole legion of people who had that kind of class and maturity,that kind of understanding and appreciation.

    We don’t do enough for the people in our military or our veterans.these people give of themselves to protect all that we know,and they are willing to give the ultimate sacrifice for us.

    We can only dream of being that selfless,brave and worthy.

  • Anonymous

    Would that ruin your day?

  • Anonymous

    oh shut up.

  • Anonymous

    yes

  • Anonymous

    what does that have to do with celebrities accompanying them to dances? It elevates celebrities to a level of importance that cheapens the military.

  • Anonymous

    Make us

  • Anonymous

    Make me, and I am glad you are broke…hopefully you will be homeless as well soon.

  • HawkCW4

    Im sorry friend but you really dont get it do you.   Yea he’s a celebrity and he sure didnt need this for his carrier, but he did it anyway.   It was not his idea,  a Marine Cpl invited him as her guest/date, whatever and he unselfishly accepted.  Our Marines, The Army, Airforce, Navy are there day in day out doing the job they trained for, keeping the rest of us safe and sane in a troubled world.  This guy showed up, got what turned out to be great insight to what our Military is all about and then had the class to let the world know what he learned.  I dont know you from Adam, BUT I do believe somewhere along the way, you became a pretty narrow bitter person.   By the way, I dont know this Timberlake guy either but I salute him for what he gave that Marine and this country by his acts.

  • HawkCW4

    Wow, so  many problems for our celebrities.  I wonder if they can handle all that.  Get real guy.  Your way off base here.

  • HawkCW4

    Geez guy let it go,  you are beginning to sound like you are already unhinged and unstable and you havent even had time to ask any celeb for a date.   Believe me,  they can handle all the request this world can throw at them.   They have people they pay to sort all that stuff out, so you dont have to be worrying for them ok.

  • HawkCW4

    What the hell is wrong with you buddy?   Where in all this did you see anything resembling the Military claiming entitlements to dancing with a celeb?  A Marine Cpl asked and Justin T accepted.  Simple as that.  She had a good time, He learned a lot about life as a Marine and the Military.  He went further in relating what he discovered to the world,  and all you can do is find fault with a simple but awesome event for all concerned.  Get some counseling before you loose it all.

  • Anonymous

    I or any “normal” guy would have had no problem asking her out. It is due to Justin’s “celebrity” status that made him supposedly so much more important than asking out a fellow Marine guy or a civilian guy. You need to get your head examined if you thought this was a good thing.

  • Anonymous

    No, he was asked on camera and there would have been a backlash if he said no …the press would have been like “how dare he turn down an invite from an American soldier” when all she could have done was ask another Marine, or ask a civilian friend. She is good looking, she would have had NO problem finding a date….it is because Timberlake is a fucking “celebrity,” she needed to think she was a bigshot by accompanying a “star” to her dance.

  • Anonymous

    Does serving your country make you “entitled” to date a celebrity?

  • Tomillard

    @Fumetti666:disqus , looks like you want to be a celebrity since these post consist mostly of your many comments. Everything isn’t about you and your lameness. Whats with the 666? Again… trying to garner attention. Bye.

  • Anonymous

    It sounds better than 999….

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