SAG HARBOR, N.Y. — Previously sealed body camera footage documenting the June 2024 arrest of pop star Justin Timberlake was made public Friday, revealing the awkward moments the musician attempted to explain his celebrity status to unimpressed law enforcement officers.
The release follows a protracted legal battle by Timberlake’s defense team to block the footage, citing potential “irreparable harm” to his professional reputation.
On June 18, 2024, Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) officers intercepted Timberlake, 45, after he departed the American Hotel in Sag Harbor. The singer was initially charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI), alongside citations for failing to stay in his lane and disregarding a stop sign.
In the newly unredacted video, Timberlake appears visibly flustered as he informs an officer he is driving a rental car. When asked if he is visiting the area, Timberlake responds, “Yeah, I’m on tour… I’m on a world tour.”
As the officer seeks clarification on his identity, Timberlake pauses before stating: “It’s hard to explain… umm… I’m Justin Timberlake.”
The footage provides a detailed look at the investigative protocols used during the stop. Timberlake is seen struggling with several field sobriety tests, at one point remarking to the officer, “These are, like, hard tests.”
As officers administered a horizontal gaze nystagmus test—shining a light into his eyes to check for involuntary jerking—Timberlake can be heard saying, “My heart’s racing.”
According to the arrest records, an officer on the scene told Timberlake’s associates, including celebrity stylist Estee Stanley, that the singer “failed every single test” and “was driving drunk.” Despite Stanley’s plea for leniency—citing Timberlake’s hit songs “Bye Bye Bye” and “SexyBack”—the musician was taken into custody.
While Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke Jr., initially maintained that his client was not intoxicated, the singer reached a plea deal in September 2024. Under the agreement, Timberlake pleaded guilty to a lesser offense of driving while ability impaired (DWAI).
The release of the footage on March 20, 2026, was the result of a settlement with the Sag Harbor Village Police Department. The court eventually lifted a temporary restraining order, allowing for a redacted version of the video to be released to the public, concluding a year-long debate over privacy versus public record.
