(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Justin Timberlake says he had to date a lot of women before realising the qualities he wanted in a girlfriend.

The singer-and-actor is currently in a relationship with Jessica Biel and admits he is a better person when he is in love. However Justin says being such a public figure often puts a strain on his romance.

"There was a time when I had lots of affairs with women. I had to find out what I wanted, he told the German edition of OK! magazine.But basically I prefer being in a relationship. But it's not very easy to have one - because I am under constant observation. The only solution to this is to keep mum about it."

Justin, 29, previously dated Britney Spears and Cameron Diaz before meeting brunette beauty Jessica in 2007.

He is a strong believer in honesty and insists trust is the key to successful relationships. Justin says he commits himself 100 per cent to another person when he is in love and is a good boyfriend.

"First of all honesty - no games, he said about his romance rules. And I don't begin a relationship inconsiderately, because I have to build up trust first. Then I devote myself totally. I am very romantic but I want to be able to laugh as well. If I sing about unconditional love I know it first-hand."

Despite putting a lot of work into his relationships, he is careful not to burden his partner with any of the stresses stemming from his career and fame.

Instead, Justin has learnt to rely on his own coping strategy when the going gets tough.

"I can do that by myself. I have learned to handle the pressure, he said adamantly. I had to do that because a lot of people have high expectations of me. But my family have given me the strength for that. My mother and my step-father taught me to be realistic, because at the end of the day I am a human being like everybody else, even if I got several chances in this life." (C) Cover Media