“That didn't age well” — Internet reacts as Justin Timberlake's video warning Britney Spears to “stop drinking” resurfaces post-arrest

Justin Timberlake was arrested in the early hours of June 18, 2024, in Sag Harbour, an affluent neighborhood in the Hamptons, New York. The singer was formally charged with a count of driving while intoxicated (DWI) and two citations, one for running a stop sign and the other for failing to keep in lane. The former NSYNC member was released without bail and his mugshot went viral online.

In the wake of his arrest, fans of pop star Britney Spears called out Justin Timberlake and unearthed a 2007 video where he warned her to “stop drinking.” In the clip, Britney’s former boyfriend (Justin) was seen holding his Brit Award as he stated in a pre-recorded footage:

“Stop drinking. You know who you are. I am speaking to you. Stop drinking, you are gonna get sloppy. OK! [magazine] is gonna say something bad about you.”

While Justin Timberlake did not take Britney’s name, her fans speculated back then as well as now that he was talking about her because she was allegedly undergoing on-and-off rehab for addiction in 2007.

Here are some of the reactions from Britney Spears' fans slamming Justin Timberlake in the wake of his recent DWI arrest. A netizen wrote on X:

"That didn't age well."

“Justin Timberlake who once told Britney she needed to stop drinking in 2007 has been ARRESTED for drunk driving. Britney Spears deserves an apology! #JusticeForBritney,” another user wrote.

“Umm… ‘What goes around comes around,’” another person wrote on X.

Other netizens pointed out the irony of the situation and stated that both the celebs made mistakes.

“In not hurting anyone, let’s people laugh at the irony of the situation,” a netizen wrote.

“He needs a conservatorship,” another netizen mentioned.

“OK, so both him and her are imperfect. There’s no need to hate either of them for making any mistakes in their lives,” an individual wrote.

For the unversed, Justin Timberlake dated Britney Spears from early 1999 to March 2002. Amidst the video backlash in 2007, he claimed that he was not speaking about his former girlfriend and made a general statement warning people of the consequences of drunk driving.

He even told GQ at the time that he was “referencing people in the crowd, no one in particular.”

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Exploring the details of Justin Timberlake’s recent arrest

On Tuesday, CBS News reported that Justin Timberlake was taken into custody by the Sag Harbor Police near Long Island, New York, for driving while impaired. The Cry Me a River crooner was driving from the American Hotel in Sag Harbor to his friend’s house past midnight.

According to the statement released by the Sag Harbor Police Department, around 12:37 AM local time, Justin Timberlake was “observed operating a 2025 BMW southbound on Madison Street, failing to stop at a duly posted stop sign and maintain his lane of travel.”

Timberlake was reportedly stopped by a police officer at a signal. Upon investigation, the officer determined that the singer was “operating his vehicle in an intoxicated condition,” as his eyes were “bloodshot and glassy,” and his breath had a “strong odor of an alcoholic beverage.”

Not only that but his speech was impaired and he performed poorly on sobriety tests and reportedly refused to take a breathalyser test. He allegedly even told the cops on the scene that he had “one martini” and was following his friends home.

The multiple-time Grammy winner was later arrested, processed, and held overnight and arraigned in the morning at the Sag Harbor Village Justice Court around 9:30 am on June 18.

According to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, the singer was released on his own recognizance after being charged with a DWI misdemeanor count alongside two citations. Justin Timberlake is set to arrive in court on July 26 for his hearing.

Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke Jr., told CBS that nobody was hurt and he will “vigorously defend his client” after his discovery is complete. Meanwhile, BBC reported that a DWI charge in New York can lead to a year in prison, a fine of up to $1000, and a driver’s license suspension for over six months.

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The singer is set to perform in two concerts at United Center in Chicago on June 21 and 22. He has another show in New York’s Madison Square Garden on June 26 before he embarks on his Everything I Thought It Was World Tour.