Justin Timberlake on “tough week” at his first concert after arrest

At his first concert since the incident, Justin Timberlake spoke briefly about his “tough week” – particularly his arrest for drunk driving on Long Island.

During his performance in Chicago on Friday night, Timberlake alluded to Tuesday’s arrest as he spoke to the crowd between songs. “We’ve been through ups and downs together, left and right,” he said. “It’s been a rough week, but you’re here and I’m here.”

Timberlake then appeared emotional and overwhelmed as the audience responded to his remarks with a standing ovation, after which he bowed several times in appreciation. “I know it’s hard to love me sometimes, but you guys love me over and over again,” Timberlake added.

#JustinTimberlake spoke about his arrest when he returned to the stage for his #FTWTOUR in Chicago. He spoke to his fans about what it’s like to stick together through “ups and downs,” saying, “It’s been a rough week, but you guys are here and I’m here, and nothing can change this moment.”

🎥: @zachlmoss pic.twitter.com/kGz0hUrvLT

— ExtraTV (@extratv) 22 June 2024

The singer was arrested early Tuesday on suspicion of driving while “intoxicated” after allegedly failing to stop at a posted stop sign in the Southampton village of Sag Harbor, New York, according to a court filing obtained by Rolling Stone States. He was arraigned hours later on a single minor drunken driving charge and released on his own bail.

According to the criminal complaint, Timberlake admitted to officers, “I was drinking a martini and following my friends home.” However, officers noticed that Timberlake ignored the stop sign at the intersection and also did not “stay on the right side of the road.”

“His eyes were bloodshot and glassy, ​​his breath smelled strongly of alcohol, he could not divide his attention, he spoke slowly, was unsteady on his feet and performed poorly on all standardized sobriety tests,” said the prosecutor’s one-page filing, based on sworn testimony from Sag Harbor police Officer Michael D. Arkinson.

Timberlake’s next court date is a virtual appearance in Sag Harbor Village Justice Court scheduled for July 26. While Timberlake’s attorney issued a statement following Justin’s arrest, Friday’s concert marked the first time the singer himself commented on the incident.

Timberlake is in the middle of a long North American tour in support of his latest album, Everything I thought it was.

By Rolling Stone US