Justin Timberlake breaks silence after DWI arrest: ‘Sometimes I’m hard to love’
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Justin Timberlake: The singer, shown during his first tour stop earlier this year, gave his first concert on Friday after his DWI arrest on June 18. (Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
CHICAGO — Pop singer Justin Timberlake broke his silence about his DWI arrest earlier this week, thanking fans Friday night at the United Center in Chicago after what he admitted was “a tough week.”
He added that all his fans have faced “ups-and-downs and lefts-and-rights,” Deadline reported. “But you’re here and I’m here, and nothing can change this moment right now.”
“I know sometimes I’m hard to love, but you keep on loving me and I love you right back,” Timberlake told a cheering audience, according to Variety.
Timberlake then launched into “Selfish,” the first single from his latest album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” the entertainment website reported.
Justin Timberlake’s full speech to the crowd at The United Center in Chicago 6/21/24 #TFTWORLDTOUR
Sag Harbor police told WCBS-TV that the arrest happened on Long Island. In court records obtained by News 12, police said the former ‘NSync singer was found to be intoxicated after he ran a stop sign and failed to keep in his lane.
He was arraigned and released from custody without bail on June 18, according to Deadline.
Chicago was the first concert venue for Timberlake since his arrest. The Forget Tomorrow World Tour is his first in five years.
Timberlake is scheduled to return to New York next week, as he will play at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan on Tuesday and Wednesday, Deadline reported.
The North American leg of the tour continues until July 9 in Kentucky, according to Variety. Timberlake then will head to Europe before returning to North America in October. The tour ends in Kansas City, Missouri, on Dec. 20.
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Justin Timberlake through the years SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Justin Timberlake performs during the 2022 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala at the Barker Hangar on October 08, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Children's Hospital Los Angeles) (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Children's Hosp)
Justin Timberlake through the years NEWARK, NEW JERSEY - SEPTEMBER 12: Taylor Swift (2nd L) accepts the Best Pop award for "Anti-Hero" from (from L) Joey Fatone, Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, and Chris Kirkpatrick of *NSYNC onstage the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at Prudential Center on September 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images for MTV)
Justin Timberlake through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Chris Kirkpatrick, Justin Timberlake, and Joey Fatone
attend special screening of Universal Pictures' "Trolls: Band Together" - arrivals at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 15, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years LOS ANGELES, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Jessica Biel (L) and Justin Timberlake attend the 70th Emmy Awards at Microsoft Theater on September 17, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years ROME, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 30: Musician, Justin Timberlake, looks on during the Saturday afternoon fourball matches of the 2023 Ryder Cup at Marco Simone Golf Club on September 30, 2023 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years CABO SAN LUCAS, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 01: Justin Timberlake plays his shot from the 1st tee prior to the World Wide Technology Championship at El Cardonal at Diamante on November 01, 2023 in Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur. (Photo by Hector Vivas/Getty Images) (Hector Vivas/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: *** EDITORIAL USE ONLY IN RELATION TO THE BRIT AWARDS 2018 *** Chris Stapleton and Justin Timberlake perform at The BRIT Awards 2018 held at The O2 Arena on February 21, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - APRIL 30: (L-R) Members of the iconic 90's boyband *NSYNC, Chris Kirkpatrick, Lance Bass, JC Chasez, Joey Fatone and Justin Timberlake (along with Lance Bass' husband, Michael Turchin, second from left) were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 30, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years LAS VEGAS, NV - SEPTEMBER 22: (EDITORIAL USE ONLY; NO COMMERCIAL USE) Justin Timberlake performs onstage during the 2018 iHeartRadio Music Festival at T-Mobile Arena on September 22, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images for iHeartMedia)
Justin Timberlake through the years LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 09: (L-R) Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake attend the Los Angeles Premiere FYC Event for Hulu's "Candy" at El Capitan Theatre on May 09, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jerod Harris/Getty Images) (Jerod Harris/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake attend special screening of Universal Pictures' "Trolls: Band Together" - arrivals at TCL Chinese Theatre on November 15, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Leon Bennett/Getty Images) (Leon Bennett/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 08: Justin Timberlake performs during the 2022 Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Gala at the Barker Hangar on October 08, 2022 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Children's Hospital Los Angeles) (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Children's Hosp)
Justin Timberlake through the years HOLLYWOOD, CA - SEPTEMBER 17: Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake attend the Michael Che and Colin Jost's Emmys After Party presented by Google (captured on Google Pixel) at Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on September 17, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Google) (Tommaso Boddi/Getty Images for Google)
Justin Timberlake through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 10: American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake looks on during the Men's Singles Final match between Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Daniil Medvedev of Russia on Day Fourteen of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 10, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND - SEPTEMBER 24: Musician, Justin Timberlake on on the 3rd hole during previews for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at The Old Course on September 24, 2019 in St Andrews, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) (Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 13: Justin Timberlake, Bonnie Raitt and Nile Rodgers pose backstage during the Songwriters Hall Of Fame 50th Annual Induction And Awards Dinner at The New York Marriott Marquis on June 13, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame) (Larry Busacca/Getty Images for Songwriters Hal)
Justin Timberlake through the years STATELINE, NV - JULY 10: Musician and actor Justin Timberlake plays with a basketball near hole 17 during the Final Round of the American Century Championship at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course on July 10, 2022 in Stateline, Nevada. (Photo by Isaiah Vazquez/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images) (Isaiah Vazquez/Clarkson Creative/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - APRIL 26: (L-R) Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake speak onstage as they promote the upcoming film "Trolls Band Together" during the Universal Pictures and Focus Features presentation during CinemaCon, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners, at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on April 26, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Justin Timberlake through the years LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DECEMBER 13: Justin Timberlake performs onstage during the Fontainebleau Las Vegas Star-Studded Grand Opening Celebration on December 13, 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Fontainebleau Las Vegas) (Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Fontainebleau L)
Justin Timberlake through the years FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013, file photo, Justin Timberlake performs at his Post Grammy Concert at the Palladium, in Los Angeles. Newcomers Macklemore & Ryan Lewis will battle heavyweights Timberlake and Taylor Swift for the top prize at the 2013 American Music Awards. (Photo by Todd Williamson/Invision/AP, File) (Todd Williamson/Todd Williamson/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Chris Hardwick hugs Justin Timberlake at DreamWorks Animation Presentation at 2016 Comic-Con on Thursday, July 21, 2016, in San Diego, Calif. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision for Twentieth Century Fox/AP Images) (Dan Steinberg/Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Singer Justin Timberlake performs at Madison Square Garden during the Man of the Woods Tour on Thursday, March 22, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake performs during the Justin Timberlake and Friends concert benefiting Shriners Hospitals For Children at the Planet Hollywood hotel in Las Vegas on Friday, Oct. 17, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) (Matt Sayles/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Justin Timberlake through the years Singer Justin Timberlake tees off during the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament at the the Spyglass Hills golf course in Pebble Beach, Calif., Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) (Marcio Jose Sanchez/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Justin Timberlake through the years Actor Justin Timberlake attends a special screening of "Wonder Wheel", hosted by Amazon Studios, at the Museum of Modern Art on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2017, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake, star of the concert film "Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids," introduces the film at the premiere on day 6 of the Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016, in Toronto. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake answers questions during a news conference for the NFL Super Bowl 52 football game halftime show Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash) (Morry Gash/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Singer Justin Timberlake performs at Madison Square Garden during the Man of the Woods Tour on Thursday, March 22, 2018, in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Actor, song writer, and pop musician Justin Timberlake greets members of the audience before being presented with the Hasty Pudding Man of the Year on the Harvard University campus, in Cambridge, Mass., Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. Timberlake, a Grammy and Emmy award winner, received the pudding pot from the nation's oldest undergraduate drama troupe during a roast Friday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake performs at the JT-TV launch party in Los Angeles on Feb. 9, 2007. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles) (Matt Sayles/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years U.S actors Jesse Eisenberg, left, Andrew Garfield, second from left, Justin Timberlake, center, U.S director David Fincher, second from right and U.S scriptwriter Aaron Sorkin, right, pose for photographers as they arrive to The Social Network premiere, in Paris, Sunday Oct. 3, 2010. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) (Thibault Camus/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Justin Timberlake through the years Entertainer Justin Timberlake watches the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics play during the first half of Game 2 of the NBA basketball finals Sunday, June 6, 2010, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (Chris Carlson/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake attends the "Trolls" panel on day 1 of Comic-Con International on Thursday, July 21, 2016, in San Diego. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake poses backstage with the Video of the Year award, Best Direction award, Best Editing award and Michael Jackson Video Vanguard at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Popstar Justin Timberlake presents the new Audi A1 at the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Tuesday, March 2, 2010. About 250 exhibitors from 30 countries, showing 100 car premieres at the Auto Show until March 14. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (Martin Meissner/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Justin Timberlake through the years Jessica Biel, left, and Justin Timberlake arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Singer Madonna is joined by singer Justin Timberlake for a duet during her performance to celebrate the release of her new CD "Hard Candy" at Roseland Ballroom, Wednesday, April 30, 2008 in New York. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini) (Evan Agostini/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Justin Timberlake through the years IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR THE TELEVISION ACADEMY - Dave Chappelle, left, and Justin Timberlake appear backstage at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Salangsang/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images) (John Salangsang/Invision for the Television Academy)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake accepts the iHeartRadio Innovator award on stage at the iHeartRadio Music Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on Sunday, March 29, 2015, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision for iHeartRadio/AP Images) (John Shearer/John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake accepts the decade award at the Teen Choice Awards at the Forum on Sunday, July 31, 2016, in Inglewood, Calif. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR THE TELEVISION ACADEMY - Jessica Biel, left, and Justin Timberlake arrive at the 70th Primetime Emmy Awards on Monday, Sept. 17, 2018, at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Salangsang/Invision for the Television Academy/AP Images) (John Salangsang/Invision for the Television Academy)
Justin Timberlake through the years Singer Justin Timberlake performs an exclusive show for Citi, American Airlines and MasterCard cardholders at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Thursday, July 10, 2014 in New York. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP) (Evan Agostini/Evan Agostini/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake, left, and Jessica Biel arrive at the 75th annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018, in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) (Jordan Strauss/Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake performs at the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at the Barclays Center in the Brooklyn borough of New York. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
(Charles Sykes/Charles Sykes/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Actor, song writer and pop musician Justin Timberlake, center, participates in a skit as he is honored as the Hasty Pudding Man of the Year during a roast on the school's campus, in Cambridge, Mass., Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. Timberlake, a Grammy and Emmy award winner, received the pudding pot from the nation's oldest undergraduate drama troupe during a roast Friday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne) (Steven Senne/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake performs songs from best original song nominee "Can't Stop the Feeling," from "Trolls" at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP) (Chris Pizzello/Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake accepts the award for favorite male artist - soul/R&B at the American Music Awards at the Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on Sunday, Nov. 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision/AP) (John Shearer/John Shearer/Invision/AP)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson performs during halftime of Super Bowl XXXVIII Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, in Houston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola) (ELISE AMENDOLA/ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Justin Timberlake through the years Justin Timberlake accepts the award for Triple Threat of the Year at the party suites, during the MTV Video Music Awards at the Palms Hotel and Casino on Sunday, Sept. 9, 2007, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson) (Chris Carlson/AP)
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