Justin Timberlake is set to strut his stuff in front of more than 30,000 Kiwis over the next four nights.
But yesterday the chart-topper - and his stunning wife, actress Jessica Biel, were determined to keep a low profile, holing up at the Pullman Hotel in central Auckland.
The A-list couple - rumoured to be expecting their first child - are understood to have flown into Auckland from Perth on a private plane. They arrived about 2am yesterday.
Timberlake's entourage, including 30 dancers, security and crew, also flew in on Friday, and took more than 100 rooms in the city hotel.
Several of his dancers did workshops in Mt Roskill yesterday, but there was little sign of Timberlake and Biel. His bodyguard, Eric Burrows, was a constant figure in the hotel lobby.
Dana Wilson was one of three of JT's dancers to bust moves at Mika Haka Foundation's Mt Roskill studio.
She was excited to be back in New Zealand.
"I had to audition eight years ago before the first tour and I had to audition with about 500 people - [that] is a lot of people so I must have done pretty good."
Timberlake was supportive of his crew and spent time with the dance team. "I do consider Justin to be a friend, he's a very good friend."
Beginners' class kids were allowed to take photos and ask questions: wondering how much training Wilson did and what "JT" songs she enjoyed dancing to.
"My favourite piece to dance to is Like I Love You. It's iconic, it's forever and it is some of the best pop choreography ever, right up there with Thriller," the dancer said. Going on tour was demanding, said Wilson, with changing time zones and late-night flights.
LA-based dancer Natalie Gilmore is on her first Timberlake tour.
It was full on, but Timberlake looked after his people, she said.
"It's a dream come true for me to work with someone who is so disciplined in their craft and who really cares about his music. "
And, he gives good presents. Tour staff received iPad minis from the superstar last Christmas, she said.
Gilmore wasn't sure if any new dance moves were planned for Timberlake's Kiwi shows, but she particularly enjoyed the routine for his cover of Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground).
"It's really fun for me to dance."
Auckland teen Miriam Eskildsen was lucky enough to be at the dance workshops yesterday, saying she got some priceless tips.
Timberlake is at Vector Arena tonight, tomorrow and Wednesday.