What Kind of Woman Does Justin Timberlake Want?

March 14, 2011 — -- Justin Timberlake waved bye, bye, bye to Jessica Biel. Now what?

Last week, the stars' representatives released a statement cementing the couple's split: "Addressing the media speculation regarding Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake's relationship, we are confirming that they mutually have decided to part ways. The two remain friends and continue to hold the highest level of love and respect for each other."

Timberlake, 30, and Biel, 29, began dating in 2007, when their careers were on par: He was soaking up the success of his "FutureSex/LoveSounds" album and tour. She was cementing her status as Hollywood's It Girl, co-starring in the box office hit "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry."

Then Timberlake invaded Hollywood and Biel picked up fewer parts. Last year, his star eclipsed hers: While he showed off his acting chops in "The Social Network" and flexed his comedic muscles on "Saturday Night Live," she spent time on commendable, if not as high-profile, charity projects.

"I hear it was Justin's decision," E! Online columnist Ted Casablanca said. "She's a beautiful girl. She has a talent. But Justin has many, many more talents. And things get hard when one person is rising and red hot and the other is sort of not even simmering, just kind of on the back burner, and the back burner is off."

According to Natalie Thomas, Us Weekly magazine's West Coast news editor, Timberlake had been thinking about breaking up with Biel for a while but postponed the split until after awards season, so as not to spoil the buzz around "The Social Network."

"There was talk of him being a contender for a Golden Globe or even an Oscar, so his team told him to push it back for that," Thomas said. "He didn't want that negative press around him."