Justin Timberlake wins TCAs Decade award, encourages understanding

Timberlake received the first-ever Decade prize at the Teen Choice Awards and told viewers how his family encouraged him to 'respect all people on the basis of their character – not where they live, not what they did for a living or the color of their skin' and encouraged viewers to become involved in their community.

Singer Justin Timberlake received the first Decade Award at the Teen Choice Awards and used his speech to encourage understanding and peace, while other winners at the ceremony included the movies “Ride Along 2,” “Miracles From Heaven,” and the Freeform TV program “Pretty Little Liars.”

Mr. Timberlake was honored for his work over the past 10 years, which has included the albums “FutureSex/LoveSounds” and “The 20/20 Experience.” His most recent hit song, “Can’t Stop The Feeling,” is currently at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“I was blessed to be raised by parents and a family who taught me some big lessons,” Timberlake said during his acceptance speech. “They taught me to respect them. They taught me to respect myself and to respect all people on the basis of their character – not where they live, not what they did for a living or the color of their skin. My parents did their best to fill my young mind not with prejudice or hate but with compassion and love.”

He later said that at one point in his childhood, Timberlake found out that “there was a music legend living right down the street from me, the Reverend Al Green, who taught the world a lesson that resonates now, I think, more than ever: Let's stay together.” 

Timberlake said that he was inspired by boxer Muhammad Ali and the lessons Mr. Ali demonstrated, including “service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.... I think we all can agree that with all the tension in the world today that can divide us, we should be part of the solution and not part of the problem. You don't have to make a difference on a global stage. You can volunteer in your neighborhood or in another neighborhood nearby where people might look a little different from you, and they might teach you a thing or two.” 

In TV categories at the Teen Choice Awards, “Pretty Little Liars” won the award for best TV drama, while “Fuller House” took the best TV comedy. “Once Upon a Time” won the award for best TV sci/fi-fantasy and “Family Guy” won the prize for best  animated show, while “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” won the award for best reality show. “Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments” took the prize for best breakout show. 

In the music categories, Justin Bieber won the award for best male artist and Selena Gomez won the prize for best female artist. One Direction took the award for best music group, while Beyonce won the prize for best R&B/hip-hop artist. Carrie Underwood won the award for best country artist. 

Lilly Singh won the award for best Web star: female and the Dolan Twins won the award for best Web star: male.

In the film categories, “Captain America: Civil War” won the prize for best sci-fi/fantasy, while “Deadpool” won the award for best action/adventure and “Miracles from Heaven” won the award for best drama. “Ride Along 2” took the prize for best comedy and “Finding Dory” won the award for best summer movie.