Justin Timberlake breaks silence on drink-driving arrest at Chicago concert

22 June 2024, 09:58 | Updated: 22 June 2024, 10:04

Timberlake was arrested after having dinner with friends on Long Island
Timberlake was arrested after having dinner with friends on Long Island. Picture: Alamy

By Will Conroy

Justin Timberlake has broken his silence after he was arrested and charged with drink-driving earlier this week in the Hamptons.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The singer, 43, addressed the difficult week he’s had at the United Center Stadium in Chicago on Friday as he resumed his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.

Timberlake was arrested after having dinner with friends on Long Island, New York, according to reports.

Timberlake said to the crowd: “It's been a tough week. I know I'm hard to love sometimes but you keep loving me right back.”

He expressed further gratitude to the fans at his show, saying how they have all faced, “ups-and-downs and lefts-and-rights”.

Timberlake was driving a BMW when he was pulled over in Sag Harbor at 12.37am local time
Timberlake was driving a BMW when he was pulled over in Sag Harbor at 12.37am local time. Picture: Alamy

The father of two was reportedly “freaking out” while in custody amid claims he is struggling to come to terms with the end of his “golden boy image”.

A source told People: “He was freaking out and stayed up all night when he was in custody. He's insisting he only had one drink and it wasn't some wild night out.”

Friday's concert in Chicago was the singer’s first show since his Long Island arrest and he is set to return to New York for shows at Madison Square Garden on June 25 and June 26.

Timberlake’s tour, which is due to end in December, will also include shows in Boston and Cleveland before the international dates commence in July.

Read more: 'We'll have a lot to say': Justin Timberlake's lawyer vows to 'vigorously defend' singer after DWI arrest

Read more: Britney Spears breaks silence on ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake's shock DWI arrest as she toasts 'little things' in life

This comes after Timberlake's lawyer said he is "looking forward to vigorously defending" the singer.

Lawyer Edward Burke Jr said: "I look forward to vigorously defending Mr Timberlake on these allegations.

"I will have a lot to say at the appropriate time but am currently awaiting full discovery from the District Attorney's office."

His next court date is scheduled for 26 July, the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office said.

Friday's concert in Chicago was the singer’s first show since his Long Island arrest
Friday's concert in Chicago was the singer’s first show since his Long Island arrest. Picture: Alamy

The pop star was driving a BMW when he was pulled over in Sag Harbor at 12.37am local time.

He had failed to maintain his lane of travel and pause at a stop sign, the local police department said.

An officer who stopped him described his eyes as being "bloodshot and glassy" and said a "strong odour of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from his breath", according to a court document.

“He was unable to divide attention, he had slowed speech, he was unsteady afoot and he performed poorly on all standardised field sobriety tests," the court papers added.

Justin Timberlake has two children with his wife Jessica Biel
Justin Timberlake has two children with his wife Jessica Biel. Picture: Alamy

The 10-time Grammy winner reportedly refused to take a breath test after telling officers he had one martini and was following some friends home.

Sources have said the singer has been disappointed with the lacklustre album sales of his sixth record, Everything I Thought It Was, released in March.

“The album didn't do too well, and I don't see Justin getting big acting roles right now,” a source said to Page Six.

His latest single, Everything I Thought It Was, was his first solo release not to reach the top of the charts since 2002.

Additionally, the sales for his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour have been described as “lacklustre”.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage

Nigel Farage agrees to settle debanking row with NatWest

Sabrina

'Not personally a fan': Chancellor Rachel Reeves admits she accepted free Sabrina Carpenter tickets for family member

Former President Of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro

Former Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro ordered to stand trial over alleged coup plot

Kerri Pegg, 42, was seen as a "rising star" in the Prison Service.

Prison governor shared 'romance with dealer inmate who gifted her £12k Mercedes bought with drug money'

Donald Trump

US travel warnings: Full list of countries advising 'caution' for trans citizens visiting America amid fears over 'detention'

(Left to right) The Prince of Wales, Kaleb Cooper and Charlie Ireland

Prince William shares piece of advice with Clarkson Farm's stars in show of support for farmers

Nalika Ranasinghe, 55, is on the run from prison after failing to attend a sentencing hearing for exchanging more than 1,200 messages with what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Manhunt launched for paedophile posing 'significant risk to children' on the run from prison

Andrew Clark

Pictured: Man, 43, battered to death outside Sainsbury's - as suspect charged with murder

Four American soldiers are feared dead in Lithuania

Four US soldiers feared dead after vanishing during Nato war drill in Lithuania

Rachel Reeves outlined some big changes to the welfare system including how Universal Credits are claimed

What are the benefits and Universal Credit changes outlined in the Spring Budget 2025?

Father Gilliot is believed to have taken his own life last Saturday

Catholic priest who fell out with French toddler Emile Soleil's murder suspects 'commits suicide'

President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth

Full Yemen attack plans discussed by Trump cabinet in leaked Signal group released in full

The Chancellor of Exchequer Rachel Reeves leaving 10 Downing Street

Spring Budget 2025 summary: What Rachel Reeves announced in today's speech

Duffy teased a remix of one of her most iconic songs as she made a return to social media

Singer Duffy seen for the first time in 10 years after horror kidnap ordeal

Rachel Reeves has announced £3.4billion in benefits cuts in her Spring Statement

Rachel Reeves admits UK growth forecast to be slashed in half as she announces £3.4bn in benefits cuts

Home Office UK Visas and Immigration sign on wall, Liverpool England,

Judge blocked paedophile’s deportation to Pakistan because he 'could be persecuted as an alcoholic'