Justin Timberlake had every reason to cry at the iHeartRadio Music Awards on Sunday.The 34-year-old singer teared up as he was honoured with the ceremony’s most prestigious gong, the Innovator Award, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. The Suit & Tie hitmaker took to the stage with a heartwarming speech that addressed his impending fatherhood with pregnant wife Jessica Biel.
‘I said I wouldn’t cry,’ he joked at first. After words of wisdom to young viewers, Justin concluded his speech with a shout-out to wife Jessica, 33. ‘You can’t have innovation without creation, so finally, I want to thank my best friend, my favorite collaborator — my wife, Jessica, at home, who’s watching,’ he said. ‘Honey, I can’t wait to see our greatest creation yet. Don’t worry, Daddy’s heading home right now to innovate by learning how to change a poopy diaper and get my swaddle on.’ In January, Justin Instagrammed a photo kissing Jessica’s pregnant belly, writing: ‘Thank you everyone for the Bday wishes! ‘This year, I’m getting the greatest gift ever. Can’t wait.#BoyOrGirl #YouNeverKnow #WeDontEvenKnow#WeAreTakingBets’
During his speech on Sunday, he also offered some words of encouragement to young people watching the show. ‘Growing up in school, no one ever called me anything close to an innovator,’ Justin said. ‘They called me different, they called me weird. ‘If you’re a young person like I used to be, and you’re at home watching and you’re being called weird or you’re being called different … I’m here tonight to tell you your critics do not count.
Their words will fade, you won’t. … Dream and work hard, and maybe one day you’ll find yourself standing on a stage and maybe someday somebody will be giving you an award calling you an innovator.’ Justin was presented the award by Tom Ford, who served as designer for his 20/20 Experience Tour, creating over 600 pieces. Tom referred to Justin as a ‘gifted comedian whose SNL sketches are legendary,’ and ‘a music icon who has been on top of his game for decades.’