Justin Timberlake Expresses 'Gratitude' for Fans at Show Following DWI Arrest: 'You Guys Just Keep Riding with Me'

Justin Timberlake thanked his fans for making his life “so special” at a concert days after his DWI arrest in the Hamptons.

During his final Forget Tomorrow World Tour performance on Saturday, June 22 at the United Center in Chicago, the Grammy winner took a moment between songs to acknowledge his supporters — both new and longtime fans — and the “community and love that spans nearly three decades together.”

Timberlake’s words to his fan base came nearly five days after his arrest in Sag Harbor, New York, for driving while intoxicated or impaired.

“This one [tour] there’s just something that keeps watching over me, more so on this tour than any other,” the 43-year-old “Selfish” singer said of his 22 shows so far. “And it’s that basically all of us are here tonight in this room , tonight in this arena, they grew up together. A lot of you come up to me and say, ‘I grew up with you, man.’ ”

“… I want each of you to know that I grew up with you,” he added. “You’ve been such a big and beautiful part of my life and sometimes I can’t find the words to express my gratitude that you just keep riding with me and riding with me.”

Justin Timberlake performs in Vancouver, British Columbia on April 29, 2024.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

The musician went on to mention that regardless of when fans started listening to his music — whether it was during his *NSYNC days or later in his solo career — they were “right here right now and I just want to say that you guys still love me and bring me back and spend and share this experience with me.”

“And from the bottom of my heart, I want you to know that until I go somewhere outside of this country, I will never forget each and every one of you,” Timberlake said. “You made my life so special. And tonight in Chicago, you made us feel loved.”

Justin Timberlake performs on stage during his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour at Rogers Arena on April 29, 2024 in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Kevin Mazur/Getty

Justin Timberlake claimed to have had ‘one Martini’ when pulled over by cops but refused breathalyzer test: Police

The “Like I Love You” singer’s final performance followed his Friday, June 21 performance at the same arena, both of which marked his first string of concerts since his DWI arrest. During Friday’s performance, he told fans that “it’s been a tough week” during a short speech before performing his 2024 hit “Selfish.”

“I know it’s hard to love me sometimes, but you keep loving me and I love you right back,” he said.

The Sag Harbor Police Department said in a statement Tuesday, June 18, that the pop star and actor “was observed operating a 2025 BMW southbound on Madison Street, failing to stop at a properly posted stop sign and failing to maintain his strips” in the early hours of that day.

He was then found to be “driving while intoxicated” and was “arrested, processed and held overnight for a morning hearing” and later released that morning.

A photo of Justin Timberlake after he was arrested by the Sag Harbor Village Police Department in June 2024.

Police Department of the Port of Sag

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Timberlake — who was charged with two counts of running a stop sign and lane failure and one count of DWI — told the officer who arrested him, “I had one martini and I followed my friends home,” according to his arrest report, which was obtained by PEOPLE.

Shortly after, a source told PEOPLE that Timberlake’s arrest occurred on June 18 after the singer spent time “hanging out with friends” at The American Hotel. “Nobody was hurt,” the source said.

Meanwhile, his lawyer Edward Burke Jr. shared a statement with PEOPLE on Wednesday, June 19, saying, “Mr. Burke looks forward to a vigorous defense of Mr. Timberlake against these allegations,” adding, “He will have much to say at the appropriate time. He is currently awaiting full disclosure from the DA’s office.”

Justin Timberlake in court for Hamptons DWI arrest same day as European tour date

A source also told PEOPLE later this week that Timberlake will continue his tour.

“It’s business as usual for him,” they said. “The tour continues as planned.”

On July 26, the “Selfish” singer is scheduled to return to court, however, the hearing will be virtual, PEOPLE has learned, with Timberlake’s attorney attending in his place as he continues his tour, kicking off the European leg of his Forget Tomorrow world tour with a performance in Kraków , Poland on the same day.

Before that, Timberlake’s next stop includes two shows in New York on Tuesday, June 25 and Wednesday, June 26, before hitting domestic stops in Boston, Baltimore and beyond.

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