Justin Timberlake tears up during Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony

Justin Timberlake wore his heart on his sleeve at the Memphis Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Sunday night. The occasion overwhelmed the former Mickey Mouse club member turned soul music icon, and he could not help being emotional as he delivered his speech.

Memphis-born and raised Timberlake was visibly elated to receive the award. Up on the stage, he said, “This is the *expletive* coolest thing that has ever happened to me.” The 34-year-old singer was introduced by longtime friend Jimmy Fallon.

The ceremony kicked off with a montage of Timberlake’s monumental achievements throughout his career. But, perhaps for the star himself, nothing was more monumental than his induction as a Memphis Music Hall of Famer as he gave a 30-minute heartfelt speech, according to Entertainment Weekly.

In the beautiful speech, he also gushed about his wife of three years, Jessica Biel.

“First, I want to thank my beautiful, loving, and incredibly understanding-of-her-husband’s-shortcomings wife, Jessica,” he said. “She is a rock and she is tough as nails. Baby, I love you more than I could put into words and more than any song I could ever write.”

He also said that Memphis is the nation’s capital of soul while recounting his favourite artists from his hometown.

The “Mirrors” crooner became emotional when he talked about the great artists that he grew up listening to, and he said that he was overwhelmed at the thought of standing shoulder to shoulder with them now. He was in tears as he finished the speech.

“I wanna thank all the great artists in this hall,” Timberlake said. “I’m truly honored to merely stand on the shoulders of all these legends I grew up listening to, and I grew up admiring, to say that I stand alongside them now.”