Justin Timberlake is at the center of a storm both professionally and personally, as his marriage to actress Jessica Biel faces serious challenges following his recent DUI arrest and subsequent sudden concert cancellations. The 43-year-old singer, who is currently on his "Forget Tomorrow World Tour," canceled a scheduled performance in Newark, New Jersey, citing an undisclosed injury, but speculation about the real reasons for the delay has only fueled the controversy surrounding his behavior offstage.
The singer's decision to postpone the concert came just days after it was revealed that he was in the company of Estee Stanley, his ex-business partner and his wife's stylist, on the night of his DUI arrest in the Hamptons. Timberlake was pulled over for running a stop sign after allegedly having one martini at The American Hotel. The incident has raised questions about his marriage to Biel, which sources claim has been under strain since 2019 when Timberlake was photographed holding hands with his "Palmer" co-star Alisha Wainwright during a night out.
"Justin's life has been steadily unraveling since his DUI arrest," a source close to the situation told RadarOnline.com. "His wife is really clean-living, and after he was caught holding hands on a night out with another woman, things were already strained. This arrest, and the fact he was with a female friend the night it happened, has really brought things to a head. There's no other way to say it-his marriage is now in crisis."
Despite Timberlake's public apology for his actions and his efforts to maintain his tour commitments, his credibility took another hit when he announced the last-minute cancellation of the Newark show just 30 minutes before doors were set to open. Fans were left outraged by the short notice, with many taking to social media to voice their frustration. One fan commented, "R U KIDDING. 30 minutes before doors!? We have full-time jobs, kids, families, etc. We had to mentally prepare to stay up late, find childcare, and take off work."
In his social media post addressing the Newark concert postponement, Timberlake wrote, "I'm so sorry to postpone tonight's show. I have an injury that is preventing me from performing. I'm so disappointed to not see you all, but I'm working to reschedule ASAP. I promise to make it up to you and give you the show ya'll deserve."
The controversy intensified when details of Timberlake's DUI case emerged, revealing he had refused a breathalyzer test and later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of "driving while ability impaired." The plea deal included a $500 fine, a surcharge, a public service announcement about drunk driving, and 25 hours of community service. Timberlake addressed the incident publicly, apologizing for his behavior and urging others to avoid making the same mistake he did.
"Even if you've had one drink, don't get behind the wheel of a car," Timberlake said outside the courthouse. "There are so many alternatives. Call a friend, take an Uber, or use one of the many travel apps available. This was a mistake that I made, but I'm hoping that whoever's watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know that I certainly have."
Adding to the tension, Timberlake's connection to Estee Stanley, his companion on the night of the arrest, has raised eyebrows. Stanley, who previously styled Biel and hosted the couple's engagement party, has a long professional history with Timberlake, collaborating with him on projects like their 2012 home goods line, HomeMint. While their relationship is reportedly platonic, the timing and circumstances have only deepened the strain on his marriage to Biel.
Sources close to the couple suggest that the recent developments have reopened old wounds for Biel, whose trust was already shaken by Timberlake's past indiscretions. "Jessica has always tried to stand by Justin, but this has made it incredibly difficult," a source said. "She's clean-living and very family-focused, and she's struggling with his behavior and the public scrutiny that comes with it."
Timberlake's attempt to downplay the situation by focusing on his tour has not quelled the speculation. During his first performance after the DUI incident, Timberlake acknowledged the turmoil, telling fans, "It's been a tough week. I know I'm hard to love sometimes, but you keep loving me right back."
The fallout from these events is far from over, with Timberlake's next steps likely to influence both his public image and the future of his marriage. While the singer has attempted to assure fans and his family that he is committed to doing better, the scrutiny surrounding his behavior and the state of his relationship with Biel remains intense.
