The recent arrest of pop star Justin Timberlake has sparked a wave of online mockery following his DUI arrest on June 18. Timberlake, once hailed as the “King of Pop,” has fallen out of favor with the public, with social media commentators poking fun at his dramatic decline.
Timberlake’s arrest occurred as he was allegedly driving while intoxicated, leading to a humorous exchange with the arresting officer, who was reportedly too young to recognize the pop star. Timberlake mumbled that his arrest was going to “ruin the tour,” prompting the officer to ask, “What tour?” Timberlake replied, “The world tour,” referencing his upcoming Forget Tomorrow World Tour, meant to be a comeback for the singer.
Reports indicate that Timberlake refused to take a chemical test, with the officer claiming he had a strong smell of alcohol on his breath. Despite Timberlake’s claim of only consuming one martini, sources revealed it was a Vesper, an all-alcohol drink with no mixer, leading to further speculation about the singer’s intoxication.
Following Timberlake’s arrest, his bleary-eyed mugshot quickly became a meme on social media, with users using the image to convey feelings of desperation and despair. The dramatic “world tour” quote also became a popular reference point, with commentators inserting it into various movie scenes and one-liners, although some found the meme to be overdone and stale.
The internet’s delight in Timberlake’s downfall may stem from past controversies surrounding the singer, including his messy breakup with Britney Spears and his role in the notorious “Nipplegate” incident with Janet Jackson during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show. Timberlake’s lack of consequences for his actions and his vague apology to Spears and Jackson in 2021 have only fueled criticism of the pop star.
Britney Spears’ recent Instagram post of a cocktail following Timberlake’s arrest has been interpreted by some as a subtle jab at her ex-boyfriend, hinting at a possible rift between the former pair. As Timberlake continues to face backlash online, his once-celebrated status as a music icon has been tarnished, with the public reveling in his fall from grace.
