Justin Timberlake's recent DWI arrest has brought to light the singer's alleged long-standing struggle with excessive drinking, according to insider sources who spoke to Page Six. The 43-year-old *NSYNC alum was charged with driving while intoxicated just after midnight on Tuesday, June 20, after leaving dinner with friends at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor on Long Island.
A music insider, who claims to have been privy to the information two years ago, told Page Six, "It's not a secret. Everyone knows. He has a real drinking problem, a lot of weed - but a major alcohol problem, and he's been hiding and masking it for years." The source alleges that those close to Timberlake have been enablers, stating, "It's a real thing, and when you have a drinking problem, it's apparent, yet they've pushed this tour on him, and he's been a very dark place."
However, another source close to the singer paints a different picture, insisting that Timberlake had not been drinking for a while prior to his DWI arrest and had even lost weight and adopted a healthier lifestyle, including cutting out alcohol before the April launch of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour. "He's in great shape. His tour is sold out. He's in a good space," the source said.
The conflicting accounts from sources within Timberlake's inner circle suggest a divide in perception regarding the singer's alleged alcohol issues and overall well-being. While some claim that his drinking problem has been an open secret for years, others maintain that he has been making positive changes in his life and is currently thriving.
Timberlake's arrest occurred when police, who had been stationed outside the American Hotel, pulled him over for a traffic violation. The singer allegedly refused a breathalyzer test after blowing through a stop sign and swerving on the road. A source close to Timberlake told Page Six that the negative press had taken a toll on the Grammy winner, particularly in the wake of the New York Times' 2021 documentary on his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, which led to backlash from Spears' fans over his mistreatment of the "Toxic" singer during their early 2000s relationship.
"He was very concerned about his career and acting. People were very worried about him," the insider claimed, adding that Timberlake was "drinking heavily" around the time the documentary was released. The singer reportedly made changes to his team to help manage the fallout from the controversy.
Just one day before his arrest, Timberlake celebrated Father's Day on Instagram, sharing photos with his two sons, Silas, 9, and Phineas, 4, whom he shares with wife Jessica Biel. In the heartfelt post, he referred to his children as "my 2 greatest gifts" and expressed his love and commitment to being there for them through life's ups and downs.
As Timberlake awaits his next court appearance on July 26, the spotlight remains on his alleged struggles with alcohol and the differing perspectives within his inner circle. The singer's representative and lawyer have not immediately commented on the claims made by the insider sources.
