Everyone has piled on Justin Timberlake in the last couple of days.
The NSYNC star was arrested in the Hamptons two nights ago for a DWI. It was late at night, he allegedly ran a stop sign on Main Street in Sag Harbor and swerved.
No one who’s written about the incident has been to Sag Harbor so they don’t know that the cops are just sitting there looking for expensive cars they can ticket. If you attempt to make the wrong turn into a parking space, bang!
Anyway. The NY Post has published stories with unnamed sources that are blown up out of control. My source at the American Hotel said Timberlake was NOT intoxicated at the end of the night.
But the whole episode has actually been good for business. Timberlake is in the middle of a tour, which he told the arresting officer might be harmed by the arrest. Far from it! Timberlake’s two shows this weekend in Chicago are almost sold out. His next shows, at Madison Square Garden next week, are in good shape.
Of the two MSG shows, the second one has more seats available. But the first one, on June 25th, is now in the hands of Verified Resellers.
Meanwhile, sales have been sparked of the album, “Everything I Thought It Was,” and the single, “Selfish.” They’re each back in the iTunes top 100.
The arrest actually brought Justin some publicity, regardless of the nature. Almost everyone knows someone who’s been pulled over. It actually might help Timberlake seem a little cooler. After all, no one was hurt (or would have been, that street is deserted after 11pm on a weekday). And Timberlake’s mug shot isn’t of someone disheveled. He actually looks pretty good.
Most legal opinions are that Justin will pay a fine, issue a heartfelt apology, and move on. But lemonade may be made from lemons here after all.
Again, I wrote immediately after the arrest was reported: Justin had dinner with a couple, he wasn’t out carousing with buddies. They shared a pitcher of martinis. That might mean 1.5 drinks per person. The bartender said he wasn’t drunk. All of those people will be called to testify.
