From a boy band heartthrob to a solo superstar, Justin Timberlake's career has seen many highs. However, recent events, including a DWI arrest, signal that his glittering facade might be showing some serious cracks.
- Jun 22, 2024
AceShowbiz - Justin Timberlake was extremely anxious following his arrest on Tuesday on DWI charges after a night out with friends at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor. The 43-year-old singer, who seemed to have stumbled late enough, was detained overnight and faced his arraignment on June 18.
A source told PEOPLE, "He was freaking out and stayed up all night when he was in custody," claiming "he's insisting he only had one martini and I followed my friends home." Despite his insistence of a low-key night, his mugshot painted a different picture - "glassy-eyed" and "bloodshot."
Timberlake refused a chemical test multiple times, leading to an overnight stay at the Sag Harbor Police Headquarters.
The arrest threw a wrench into Timberlake's Forget Tomorrow World Tour, with performances scheduled in major cities such as Chicago and New York City shortly after the incident. Despite the setback, a source assured PEOPLE, "It's business as usual for him. The tour is continuing as planned."
Interestingly, a source told Page Six that Timberlake muttered under his breath during the arrest, "This is going to ruin the tour," to which the arresting officer replied, "What tour?" It's a blow to Timberlake's already fragile ego as apparently the cop who arrested him didn't seem to know who he was.
It comes after his latest album "Everything I Thought It Was" failed to make a significant impact in the charts, dropping off the Billboard 200 after just four weeks.
His professional slide is mirrored by personal turmoil, with sources indicating that his wife, actress Jessica Biel, is "extremely upset" with his behavior. Biel, who was seen looking somber in NYC this week, has reportedly been rocked by Timberlake's string of controversies and public missteps, including an infamous 2019 incident where he was caught holding hands with co-star Alisha Wainwright.
Speculations about Timberlake's behavior have swirled for years, intensified by his apparent disregard for decorum. A Hollywood insider claimed, "He's got a bit of an ego," and attributed his recent misfortunes to his perceived unpleasant demeanor in Hollywood.
Compounding Timberlake's challenges, his promotional efforts and latest works have struggled to recapture the acclaim he enjoyed during his earlier years. Last year's Netflix thriller "Reptile" saw him attempting to channel a Ben Affleck-like performance in "Gone Girl," but the triumphs of his early 2000s hits like "Cry Me a River" and "Senorita" seem distant.
Amidst the arrest drama, Timberlake's former flames and public opinion have not been kind. Social media has been abuzz with memes of Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, likening Timberlake's predicament to karma catching up. Spears' recent memoir revelations about a painful abortion at Timberlake's behest during their youth have only resurrected old scars.
Despite these upheavals, Timberlake's legal team, led by Edward Burke Jr., is preparing a vigorous defense, with the next court hearing set for July 26 - coinciding with a scheduled tour date in Poland. Timberlake's ability to navigate this storm and reclaim his golden boy status remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the sheen has undeniably worn off America's once unblemished pop star.
