Justin Timberlake struggled with ‘real drinking problem’ for years, was ‘in a very dark place’: sources
Justin Timberlake’s issues with alcohol go way back, sources tell Page Six exclusively.
“It’s not a secret. Everyone knows,” a music insider who was privy to the information two years ago claims.
“He has a real drinking problem, a lot of weed — but a major alcohol problem, and he’s been hiding and masking it for years.”
Another source, however, tells us Timberlake had not been drinking for a while prior to his DWI arrest Tuesday — and even lost weight and was living a healthier lifestyle, including cutting out booze before the April launch of his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.
Timberlake’s alleged secret appeared to rear its ugly head when he was charged with driving while intoxicated just after midnight after leaving dinner with friends at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor on Long Island.
A source close to the singer, 43, told us that cops, who had been stationed outside, pulled him over for a traffic violation.
Police said Timberlake refused a breathalyzer test after blowing through a stop sign and swerving on the road.
Our first source believes Timberlake’s alleged penchant for boozing “got to him” and that “everyone around him have been enablers.”
“It’s a real thing, and when you have a drinking problem, it’s apparent, yet they’ve pushed this tour on him, and he’s been a very dark place,” the insider claims.
Negative press had taken a toll on Timberlake, according to another source, who echoes, “He’s been in a dark place.”
They claim the Grammy winner was “drinking heavily” around the time the New York Times’ 2021 documentary on his ex Britney Spears was released. He started making changes to his team to help manage the backlash he received from Spears’ fans for his mistreatment of the “Toxic” singer during their relationship in the early aughts.
“He was very concerned about his career and acting. People were very worried about him,” the insider says.
A source close to Timberlake, however, insists the “SexyBack” singer “has never been better.”
“He’s in great shape. His tour is sold out. He’s in a good space,” they say.
Timberlake’s rep and lawyer did not immediately comment.
