Justin Timberlake is keeping a low profile, two days after he was arrested for drunk driving in Sag Harbor, NY. The superstar is on the road with his Forget Tomorrow world tour and is set to take the stage on Friday in Chicago. He has yet to publicly address the situation, which one public relations expert believes is a mistake.
This is where things stand following Timberlake’s arrest in the Hamptons.
Jessica Biel reportedly upset but supporting the singer
The singer’s wife of more than 10 years is apparently “not happy” with her husband and the “distraction” he caused to the family. (They share two sons: Silas, 9, and Phineas, 4.)
“She had to film yesterday. She doesn’t like any attention paid to her family, especially negative attention,” said a source. People. However, the actress, who is filming the series The best sister in New York City, “will always be by your side.”
Timberlake was arraigned on June 18 and released on his own recognizance. It is unclear whether the two saw each other.
“He’s a great father and husband,” the source adds.
O Daily Mail reports that Biel is “embarrassed” and “extremely upset.”
A representative for Biel did not respond to Yahoo Entertainment’s request for comment.
Timberlake’s lawyer says he will fight the charges
In a statement released Wednesday, attorney Edward Burke Jr. said he hopes to “vigorously defend” the pop star.
“He will have a lot to say at the appropriate time. He is currently awaiting full discovery from the DA’s office,” Burke said. TMZ.
The “Cry Me a River” singer was indicted on June 18. According to the criminal complaint, he told the arresting officer that he had just had “one martini” and was following friends home from the American Hotel in Sag Harbor, NY.
Timberlake Will Continue Tour, Won’t Seek Treatment: Reports
According to TMZ, the singer will not be going to rehab — which is a typical celebrity move in DWI or DUI cases — and will instead focus on his world tour. (Timberlake’s rep did not respond to Yahoo’s request for comment.) Page six also reports that he is “moving forward” with the tour.
“People who have spent years around the singer tell us they never knew he had any problems, and he is usually in control when he is in public,” says TMZ.
Timberlake has never been arrested and his drinking has never made headlines before — except when he brings it up himself. In 2019, the singer made a public mea culpa to Biel when he was photographed holding hands with a co-star. (“A few weeks ago, I demonstrated a severe lapse in judgment – but let me be clear – nothing happened between me and my co-star. I drank too much that night and regret my behavior. I should have known better.”)
The singer hasn’t addressed this scandal for over a week, so he could be following a similar playbook now.
Public relations expert says Timberlake should face prison head-on
Eric Schiffer tells Yahoo that “Justin can’t dance to this.”
“He needs to step up and take responsibility, and he can do that through the right one-on-one interview,” adds Schiffer, president of Los Angeles-based Reputation Management Consultants.
Perhaps this could come from Gayle King, who publicly defended the singer in CBS Mornings. “Justin Timberlake is a really, really nice guy,” she said. “He is not an irresponsible person, he is not reckless, he is not careless.”
Schiffer believes the DWI “damages” Timberlake’s “brand trust and likability.”
“This results in a loss of respect from fans and the public and creates a huge chill in brands for future collaborations,” he says.
