By: Jessica A. Dennehy
Justin Timberlake (43) is an American singer, songwriter, actor, and record producer who first rose to fame as a member of the popular 1990s boy band NSYNC, known for hits like “Bye Bye Bye” and “It’s Gonna Be Me.” After NSYNC permanently went on hiatus in the early 2000s, Timberlake launched a successful solo music career, quickly producing hits like “Cry Me a River” and “Rock Your Body.” He later achieved more success with chart-topping singles like “SexyBack” and “My Love.” His work has earned him multiple Grammy Awards. Timberlake has also been involved in high-profile personal conflicts, notably with pop icon Britney Spears, whom he briefly dated at the peak of his career—and now, he finds himself facing charges of driving while intoxicated (DWI).
The former boy-band star turned solo artist was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York, just after midnight on June 18, 2024. Police reported that Timberlake ran a stop sign in the village center before veering out of his lane – and this wasn’t the first time this had occurred. When officers approached his BMW, he smelled strongly of alcohol. According to court filings, the Tennessee native appeared “bloodshot and glassy-eyed” and performed poorly on sobriety tests. Officers noted his slurred speech, unsteady movements, and his questionable admission that he had consumed just “one martini.” He was reportedly following some friends home at the time.
During a hearing last month, the pop star initially pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated and had his driver’s license suspended. However, on September 13th, he agreed to a plea deal for a lesser charge of driving while ability impaired (DWAI). As part of the agreement, Timberlake was required to make a public safety announcement in front of the Sag Harbor Police Station. He was also sentenced to a $500 fine (with an additional $260 surcharge), 25 hours of community service, and a 90-day license suspension. With a net worth of over $250 million, Timberlake will be seen pushing papers for the county for the next few days—and with that, he can hopefully say “Bye Bye Bye” to this inconvenient publicity mishap.