He was known for his squeaky clean boy-band image when he found fame with NSYNC after a stint on The Mickey Mouse Club.
And, on Tuesday while appearing on The Ellen Show, Justin Timberlake, 39, revealed that in 2000 he ‘accidentally’ broke into Alcatraz maximum security prison on Alcatraz Island, offshore from San Francisco, California with former bandmate Joey Fatone, 43.
Recounting the tale, the singer told Ellen DeGeneres: ‘I was like: ‘Joe, we are gonna go down in history as the dumbest people ever. We got caught breaking into a prison!’
What!? While on The Ellen Show on Tuesday, Justin Timberlake, 39, revealed that in 2000 he ‘accidentally’ broke into Alcatraz with former bandmate Joey Fatone, 43
While playing a round of ‘Spill the Tea’ with SZA, Anderson. Paak, and returning contestant Carol, Ellen correctly guessed that it was Justin who had broken into the famous prison.
The pop star explained that the incident took place while shooting the NSYNC music video for This I Promise You, directed by Dave Meyers, in the Redwoods National and State Parks.
Asked to explain what happened, Justin said: ‘I accidentally broke into Alcatraz one time. I was in a group called NSYNC…
‘We were shooting a video in the redwoods outside of San Francisco and we ended up shooting this one scene on this pier directly opposite Alcatraz.
Hilarious: The singer told Ellen DeGeneres: ‘I was like: ‘Joe, we are gonna go down in history as the dumbest people ever. We got caught breaking into a prison!’ (Pictured with Joey in 2000)
Gotcha! While playing a round of ‘Spill the Tea’ with SZA, Anderson. Paak, and contestant Carol, Ellen correctly guessed that it was Justin who had broken into the famous prison
In its day, Alcatraz hosted some of America’s most infamous lawbreakers, including Al Capone, Machine Gun Kelly, Roy Gardner, Robert Stoud, and John and Clarence Anglin.
Justin explained that his fascination with American gangster Al Capone was what sparked the escapade.
He admitted: ‘And at the time I was watching The Untouchables over and over again, and I was obsessed with the fact that Al Capone, you know, they put him in Alcatraz.
‘And I said: “Who wants to go see Alcatraz with me?” and Joey – who’s usually game for anything – he was like: “I’ll go with you!” but we only had basically an hour in-between where they were setting up a different shot.
Antics: The pop star explained that the incident took place while shooting the NSYNC music video for This I Promise You in the Redwoods National and State Parks opposite Alcatraz
Obsession: Justin explained his fascination with Al Capone was what sparked the escapade, admitting: ‘A I was obsessed with the fact that Al Capone, you know, they put him in Alcatraz
‘So the five department was waiting around and they came up and said; “Hey could we take some pictures with you guys?” and Joey and I were like: “Sure… would you take us to Alcatraz?”
‘They were like: “Yeah, sure!” so they take us over – we felt so cool – on like a coast guard, fire department boat.
‘We get over there and we realise that on the mainland you’re supposed to buy your tickets and then get on the ferry!’
Partners in crime: Justin continued, telling Ellen: ‘And I said: “Who wants to go see Alcatraz with me?” and Joey – who’s usually game for anything – he was like: “I’ll go with you!”
Trying their luck: The fire department approached the band during a break asking for photos. ‘Joey and I were like: “Sure… would you take us to Alcatraz?”‘ explained Justin
Not perturbed, Justin explained to Ellen that, since he was young and used to trying to sneak into places for free, he knew what to do.
He continued: ‘So, we get to the main gate and they’re like: “Tickets please” and so of course we were like – I mean I was just outta high school – so I was used to this one…
‘I was like :’Yeh the guy behind me has the tickets’ and we ended up sort of sneaking in and getting the earphones and weaving our way into one of the tour groups.
Oh dear: ‘We get over there and we realise that on the mainland you’re supposed to buy your tickets and then get on the ferry!’ explained Justin
Going for it: So, Justin and Joey snuck into the maximum security prison and tagged onto a tour group. They almost got away with it until the reached Al Capone’s cell (pictured in 2018)
‘And by the time we got half way through and just gotten to Al Capone’s cell, I got a tap on my shoulder…
‘And they’re like: “Come with me” and I was like: “Joe, we are gonna go down in history as the dumbest people ever. We got caught breaking into a prison!”
‘And they let us go away with a warning, and obviously we had to pay for the tickets.’
Oh dear: ‘I got a tap on my shoulder… ‘And they’re like: “Come with me” and they let us go away with a warning, and obviously we had to pay for the tickets’ Justin told Ellen