Gayle King has come forward to staunchly defend Justin Timberlake following his recent DWI arrest, emphasizing that the incident was merely a lapse in judgment. The CBS news anchor, known for her candid opinions, insisted that Timberlake is fundamentally a good person who made a regrettable mistake.
The 43-year-old singer was apprehended in the early hours of Tuesday morning after failing to stop at a stop sign and swerving out of his lane while driving his BMW X7. Timberlake, who refused to take a breathalyzer test, has since been handed a one-year driving ban in New York. His mugshot quickly went viral, sparking widespread media attention.
During Wednesday’s episode of CBS Mornings, Gayle King, 69, discussed the incident with her co-hosts Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson. She was quick to defend Timberlake’s character, describing him as a “really great guy” who simply made a mistake. “Listen, this is clearly a mistake. I bet nobody knows it more than he does,” King said, emphasizing that Timberlake is not an irresponsible or reckless individual.
King’s defense of Timberlake was heartfelt and unwavering. “He’s not an irresponsible person. He’s not reckless, careless,” she reiterated. “Clearly this is not a good thing. He knows that.” She even referenced a past incident involving Billy Joel, suggesting that people should refrain from passing judgment too quickly.
Despite her strong defense, King was clear that driving under the influence is inexcusable. “Listen, driving drunk, there’s never any excuse ever, ever,” she stated. Her comments, however, did not indicate any personal relationship with Timberlake, as she has never interviewed him during her career. Nonetheless, King has previously expressed her admiration for Timberlake’s music and his close relationship with his mother.
The arrest report detailed that Timberlake had been drinking with friends at the American Hotel bar in Sag Harbor before deciding to drive. When pulled over, he refused a breath test, telling officers, “No, I’m not doing a chemical test. I refuse! I refuse!” Timberlake reportedly claimed to have had “just one martini,” but police noted his bloodshot eyes, the strong smell of alcohol, and his impaired speech and coordination.
Exclusive photos obtained by DailyMail.com showed Timberlake looking visibly shaken as he was led from the Sag Harbor police headquarters to the village’s Justice Court. He pleaded not guilty to charges of DWI, running a stop sign, and failing to stay in his lane. Timberlake was released without bail and is scheduled to appear in court again on July 26.
Currently, Timberlake is on the road for his Forget Tomorrow tour, with his next performance set for Chicago on June 21. The tour, which supports his sixth solo album Everything I Thought It Was, will continue in Europe starting in Krakow, Poland, on July 29. Despite the mixed reviews for his latest album, Timberlake remains a prominent figure in the music industry.
Insiders have revealed that Timberlake has shown up to rehearsals smelling of alcohol on more than one occasion. This recent incident has added to the list of controversies that have surrounded the singer since his rise to fame as a member of *NSYNC.
While Timberlake has yet to publicly address the arrest, his lawyer, Edward Burke Jr., has stated that they plan to “vigorously defend Mr. Timberlake against these allegations.” The singer’s wife, Jessica Biel, was seen for the first time since the arrest, filming scenes for her new thriller series, The Better Sister, in Manhattan. Biel appeared tense but focused as she worked on set.
The Sag Harbor Police Department released a statement detailing Timberlake’s arrest, noting that he was observed failing to stop at a stop sign and maintain his lane. The statement confirmed that Timberlake was arrested, processed, and held overnight before being released on his own recognizance.
As Timberlake prepares for his upcoming court date and continues his tour, the incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of driving under the influence. Despite the controversy, Gayle King’s defense of Timberlake highlights the complexity of public figures’ lives and the importance of understanding that everyone can make mistakes.
