Justin Timberlake Keys a High Note with Alicia

Rumor has it that Justin Timberlake has developed more than just a passing interest in Alicia Keys. This news is trickling out on the heels of the revelation that Justin and Britney are through, for good. It was reported that Timberlake broke up with Miss Spears via the telephone before performing with his band, *NSync, in Tacoma, Washington in early March. The reports from both camps denied the break up until recently during an interview promoting her new film, Crossroads, Spears proclaimed that she is not "in an intense relationship with anyone" right now. This after months of speculation on whether or not Pop’s reigning golden couple had called it quits.

It seems that Timberlake is on a different path. He seems to be moving away from the bubble gum cheese of boy band fame that includes dissing his pop tart of three years. It has been rumored that Timberlake is ready to break out on his own, despite reports to the contrary. He has always seemed to be more in touch with his urban self and maybe getting rid of his virginal (so she claims) cupcake and moving on to the less saccharine Miss Keys is all part of his plan to integrate himself into the world of Soul and Hip Hop. Timberlake credits Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson as his idols, and Wonder even played the harmonica on one of *NSync’s latest songs.

Keys’ debut album Songs In A Minor featured her break-out hit Fallin’ which topped the charts. She has been compared to the likes of Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey. Will the relationship, if there even is one, outlast the shining star that was Justin & Britney?