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On Friday night, Justin Timberlake delivered his first live performance since his DWI arrest earlier in the week. The incident took place early Tuesday morning in Long Island, New York. Performing at Chicago's United Center on June 21, the 43-year-old former *NSYNC member acknowledged the challenging week during a brief speech before singing "Selfish."
"It's been a tough week," Timberlake admitted, expressing gratitude to his fans. "I know sometimes I'm hard to love, but you keep on loving me, and I love you right back," he said, as the audience cheered in support.
During the show, Timberlake also interacted with a couple celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary, joking that the "verdict is in" and declaring this audience "the best crowd of the tour."
According to a statement from the Sag Harbor Police Department, Timberlake was arrested on June 18 after being observed driving a 2025 BMW southbound on Madison Street. He failed to stop at a stop sign and did not maintain his lane. Following a traffic stop, officers determined he was intoxicated and arrested him. He was processed and held overnight before being released on his own recognizance the following morning.
The arrest report, obtained by PEOPLE, details that Timberlake was charged with one count of DWI and received citations for running a stop sign and failing to stay in his lane. He told authorities, "I had one martini and I followed my friends home."
A source informed PEOPLE that Timberlake's arrest occurred after he spent time "hanging out with friends" at The American Hotel. "Nobody was hurt," the insider noted.
Attorney Edward Burke Jr. released a statement regarding Timberlake's arrest, stating, "Mr. Burke looks forward to vigorously defending Mr. Timberlake against these allegations. He will have a lot to say at the appropriate time. He is currently awaiting full discovery from the DA's office."
Timberlake has been on tour since April, promoting his sixth studio album, "Everything I Thought It Was," released on March 15. Prior to his arrest, he performed a sold-out show at the Kaseya Center in Miami.
Following two nights in Chicago, Timberlake's next stop is Madison Square Garden in New York City, with domestic dates running through July 9. The tour will then head to Europe, beginning in Kraków, Poland, on July 26—the same day Timberlake is due back in court. PEOPLE has learned that the hearing will be virtual, with Timberlake's lawyer attending in his place, allowing him to continue his tour.
"It's business as usual for him," an insider said. "The tour is continuing as planned."
The weekend before his arrest, Timberlake posted on Instagram to celebrate Father's Day. "I learn more about myself every day just because you both chose me to be your Daddy," he wrote about his two sons with wife Jessica Biel. "I love you both so much. Thank you for giving me my biggest purpose."
Just hours before Timberlake's arrest, Biel, 42, was photographed on set for her new Prime Video series, The Better Sister, filming with co-star Elizabeth Banks. A source told PEOPLE that Biel was "not happy" about the arrest, describing it as a "distraction."
"She had to film yesterday. She doesn't like any attention on the family, especially not negative," the insider continued, adding that Biel "loves" Timberlake and "will always be by his side."
