In July, De Santis invited Timberlake to the ball via Youtube, following from a chat show interview in which Timberlake encouraged his Friends With Benefits co-star Mila Kunis to attend another ball with a male Marine.

Although Kunis was unable to make the date, Timberlake turned up to escort the servicewoman to her ball.

Afterwards he posted on his website that the experience had been “one of the most moving” he’d ever had.

Timberlake claims to be bemused by the fact that De Santis was nervous and worried that her celeb date wasn’t having a good time.

“She seemed to me to be so humble and honest… Very cool. She also simultaneously seemed like she was nervous about the whole evening and if I was going to enjoy myself. ‘Are you ok?’ she asked 2 or 3 times. ‘I hope you are having fun. I know you will once my crew of friends get here to the table.’”

“I have to tell you, it’s not every day that I meet a 23 year old girl and she’s more worried about if I’m having fun or if I’m comfortable! It hit me all of a sudden that these were the type of people that look after us and our freedom.”

For her part, De Santis simply tweeted: “The ball was epic! Had a wonderful time.”

Timberlake’s girlfriend Jessica Biel has not commented on the Marine Corps ball date. The actress has been back on the scene since the summer after the couple broke up last March.

The couple were spotted looking romantic while on holiday in Miami last week.