How Justin Timberlake had to redeem himself with wife Jessica Biel following DWI arrest
Justin Timberlake has been working to redeem himself with wife Jessica Biel, nearly three months after he was arrested in Sag Harbor, New York in connection with DWI.
The 10-time Grammy winner, 43, who pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in connection with the incident last month, has ‘done everything he can’ to smooth things over with his spouse, 42, in the time since his June 18 arrest, an insider close to the family told People on Tuesday.
The SexyBack singer and the Candy star – who ‘was not happy about’ the highly-publicized arrest – have ‘been very busy working and just focus on family time when they’re off,’ the source said, as they raise their two sons Silas, nine, and Phineas, four.
Among those in the courtroom Friday was a local mother whose 12-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver in 2018. Alisa McMorris, who now runs a foundation in her son Andrew´s memory, said she hoped Timberlake´s remarks would help bring more awareness to the dangers of driving under the influence.
Edward Burke Jr., Timberlake’s attorney, maintained outside the court after Friday´s hearing that his client only had one drink in two hours at the American Hotel before his arrest.
‘Contrary to what was reported, he wasn´t drinking other peoples´ drinks, or warned in advance not to drive,’ said Burke, adding that the lesser charge Timberlake pleaded to is ‘consistent with these facts.’
At one point in the hearing, Timberlake promised Judge Irace he wouldn´t ‘go back’ to driving after having a drink again. The judge, who had otherwise been serious in tone, playfully interjected: ‘But come back to Sag Harbor! It´s a great place.’
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‘They’ve been married for a long time,’ and ‘have to work on their marriage like most couples,’ the insider said.
Both have been busy with their careers amid the tumultuous timeframe: Timberlake is continuing with his Forget Tomorrow World Tour – which he directly referenced during his aforementioned arrest – while Biel has been doing ‘back-to-back’ projects such as The Better Sister on Amazon.
Justin Timberlake, 43, has been working to redeem himself with wife Jessica Biel, 42, nearly three months after he was arrested in connection with DWI. Pictured in Sag Harbor, New York
The Candy star, pictured in August in NYC, ‘was not happy about’ the highly-publicized arrest
The source said that ‘being working parents is never easy,’ complicating potential issues in the relationship, but overall, ‘they’re both relieved that it’s in the past.’
The insider said that the Can’t Stop the Feeling! vocalist and the 7th Heaven alum ‘are both committed to staying married’ despite the obstacles.
Said the source: ‘Jess thinks he’s a wonderful dad. They’re a great team.’
Timberlake referenced Biel during his October 4 show at the Bell Centre in Montreal, noting their 12th wedding anniversary.
He said during the show, ‘It’s also a very special evening for me: My wife is here tonight. And tonight is our 12-year anniversary. So be nice to her, Montreal, because she’s sharing me with all of you guys tonight.’
Timberlake placed his hand on his chest and told Biel, ‘I love you, baby.’
Biel reposted a clip of the romantic exchange on Instagram Stories that read, ‘Wouldn’t want to spend it anywhere else.’
As part of his plea deal, the What Goes Around… Comes Around vocalist urged drivers not to get behind the wheel of a car after even a single alcoholic drink, shortly after pleading guilty.
Timberlake referenced Biel during his October 4 show at the Bell Centre in Montreal , noting their 12th wedding anniversary
Biel reposted a clip of the romantic exchange on Instagram Stories that read, ‘Wouldn’t want to spend it anywhere else’
The public safety announcement in front of the Sag Harbor Police Department on September 13 was a component of the plea deal that knocked down the misdemeanor charge he´d faced to a non-criminal traffic violation.
The boy band singer-turned-solo star and actor was also sentenced to a $500 fine with a $260 surcharge, 25 hours of community service at the nonprofit of his choosing and a 90-day suspension of his license.
‘I try to hold myself to a very high standard, for myself, and this was not that,’ Timberlake told the news media and other onlookers after the hearing in the adjacent Sag Harbor Village Court.
‘Even if you´ve had one drink, don´t get behind the wheel of a car,’ he said. ‘There´s so many alternatives. Call a friend. Take an Uber. There´s many travel apps. Still, take a taxi. This is a mistake that I made, but I’m hoping that whoever is watching and listening right now can learn from this mistake. I know that I certainly have.’
The NSYNC star made similar comments during the court hearing and said he grew up in a small town and appreciated the kind of strain his arrest has made on a community like Sag Harbor.
The one-time whaling village, which is mentioned in Herman Melville´s classic novel Moby-Dick, is nestled amid the Hamptons, an area of seaside communities around 100 miles east of New York City.
Timberlake was arrested there a little after midnight on June 18 after police said he ran a stop sign in the village center, veered out of his lane and got out of his BMW smelling of alcohol.
Police said Timberlake told the officer he had had one martini and was following some friends home. He originally pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of driving while intoxicated.
The singer, 43, pictured in Long Island, New York September 13
The 10-time Grammy winner has pleaded guilty to driving while impaired in connection with the June 18 incident
Timberlake pictured in a mug shot after his June 18 arrest in Sag Harbor, New York
The boy band singer-turned-solo star was seen at a September 13 hearing in the Hamptons
Timberlake told the court he´s had a lot of time to reflect on his actions and was ‘grateful for the opportunity to move forward’ and use his platform to hopefully help others make ‘better decisions.’
‘I should have had better judgment,’ he said to the judge. ‘I understand the seriousness of this.’
Judge Carl Irace said he did not oppose reducing the charge Timberlake faced since he was a first time offender and thanked him for speaking sincerely and ‘from the heart.’
But he questioned the appropriateness of the proposed sentence, dismissing the public announcement Timberlake intended to make shortly after the court proceedings as ‘unsatisfactory.’
Irace said imposing an additional requirement of community service would give the singer more time to reflect on his actions: ‘My experience is that these conditions can prove helpful and even gratifying for the accused.’
Prosecutor Patrick O´Connell told the judge they had weighed recommending community service, but thought a statement from Timberlake would be a more valuable public service because of its potential to influence a younger generation worldwide.
He also said Timberlake´s remarks would hopefully show that ‘no one is above the law,’ not even the wealthy and famous.
‘Mr. Timberlake received the same treatment as any other defendant,’ Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney added in a statement after the hearing. ‘Justice should be applied equally to all individuals, regardless of their wealth or celebrity status.’
‘I try to hold myself to a very high standard, for myself, and this was not that,’ Timberlake told the news media and other onlookers after the hearing in Sag Harbor Village Court last month
Members of the media and police were pictured outside of the star’s September 13 hearing
Justin Timberlake ‘warns’ Britney to ‘stop drinking’ in 2007
Among those in the courtroom Friday was a local mother whose 12-year-old son was killed by a drunk driver in 2018. Alisa McMorris, who now runs a foundation in her son Andrew´s memory, said she hoped Timberlake´s remarks would help bring more awareness to the dangers of driving under the influence.
Edward Burke Jr., Timberlake’s attorney, maintained outside the court after Friday´s hearing that his client only had one drink in two hours at the American Hotel before his arrest.
‘Contrary to what was reported, he wasn´t drinking other peoples´ drinks, or warned in advance not to drive,’ said Burke, adding that the lesser charge Timberlake pleaded to is ‘consistent with these facts.’
At one point in the hearing, Timberlake promised Judge Irace he wouldn´t ‘go back’ to driving after having a drink again. The judge, who had otherwise been serious in tone, playfully interjected: ‘But come back to Sag Harbor! It´s a great place.’
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