Justin Timberlake and Beyoncé are set to bring their considerable star power to the UK’s Brit awards.
The 32-year-old, who marked his musical comeback after a six years hiatus, with new single “Suit & Tie” last month, will join a contemporary line-up that includes Muse, Mumford and Sons, Robbie Williams, Emeli Sande, Ben Howard, and Robbie Williams.
Brits chairman David Joseph told MTV : “Justin is an exceptional artist with global appeal and unrivalled successes.”
“We are thrilled to add him to a stellar line-up that will celebrate an amazing year of music and make this one of the strongest BRIT live shows to date.”
This will be Timberlake’s second time performing at the Brits. His last visit was in 2003 alongside Australian pop princess Kylie Minogue when they sang Blondie hit “Rapture.”
The former N’Sync singer has won three Brits in total. Winning the first two in 2004 when he walked off with best international album and male, he followed that with another best international male title in 2007.
Now married to Jessica Biel and boasting a growing film slate, Timberlake has been teasing his return to music for a few weeks now. After recently confirming his date with the Grammy’s on February 10, and now the Brits, no-one should be in any doubt that he’s back.
NME join those speculating that Timberlake and Beyoncé — who have duetted before — might do so again on the night, and possibly with Jay-Z who features on “Suit & Tie.”
Beyoncé’s dramatic beginning to 2013 continues apace. After her performance at President Obama’s inauguration on January 21 kicked off a week of Lip-Sync Gate, the Houston native drew a definitive line under it on Thursday.
The 31-year-old previously performed at the Brits in 2001 as part of Destiny’s Child, then again in 2004 where she won the best international female award. Nominations for international female solo artist followed in 2007, 2009, and 2012.
Beyoncé and Timberlake will hit the BRITS on February 20 at the O2 Arena.
