Justin Timberlake Addresses Cheating Rumors After Being Caught Getting Cozy with Alisha Wainwright
Justin Timberlake made headlines in late November after he was seen cozying up to his Palmer co-star, Alisha Wainwright. During the week of Nov. 17, the actors were photographed getting close and being intimate.
While sources quickly downplayed the moment, some fans were convinced that Timberlake got caught red-handed. They accused him of being unloyal to his wife, Jessica Biel — and demanded an explanation.
Luckily for them, Timberlake just broke his silence. On Dec. 4, he penned an emotional note to Instagram in which he admitted that he displayed a “strong lapse” in judgment and apologized for his behavior.
The photos of Justin Timberlake and Alisha Wainwright
On Nov. 23, The Sun posted photos and a video of Timberlake and Wainwright getting close at a bar in New Orleans. The pictures appear to show Wainwright touching the singer’s knee; They were also seen holding hands.
Timberlake did not have on his wedding. But the outlet noted that he’d worn it earlier in the week.
“They were smiling and laughing,” a source told The Sun. “At one stage he grabbed her hand and rested it on his knee. She then gently started stroking his leg. Then he clutched her hand with both of his and was playing with her hands.”
Rumors quickly spread that Timberlake had been cheating on Biel, whom he married in 2012 and with whom he shares a son, Silas.
However, sources downplayed the moment.
“It’s a balcony with a group of people and it was definitely nothing happening,” one source told People. “He’s down there shooting [his film] Palmer, they’re starring in the movie together and they’re cool and everybody was just hanging out.”
Wainwright’s representative also pushed back on the romance speculation, adding, “The video may look a way, but literally it was nothing. It was some friends, members of the team, crew and people like that. They all know each other and were hanging. Like come on, they’re on an open balcony in New Orleans and he’s famous. It was nothing.”
Jessica Biel was reportedly hurt by the photos
A source told E! News on Nov. 25 that Biel thought that the moment was “inappropriate.”
“They are downplaying everything and trying to laugh it off as nothing. But it was definitely inappropriate and something that would make any wife uncomfortable,” the insider explained. “He had too much to drink and got carried away.”
But at the same time, the source noted that the couple is “going to move on from this.”
“Their marriage will survive. He feels guilty and will make it up to her,” the source shared. “She is very good to him and he knows how lucky he is. He says it was not a big deal, they were all hanging out together and that’s the end of the story.”
Justin Timberlake breaks his silence
The “Cry Me A River” crooner took to Instagram to apologize for his behavior and share what really happened. In a note, he wrote that, while he was wrong, nothing’s going on between him and Wainwright.
“I stay away from gossip as much as I can, but for my family I feel it is important to address recent rumors that are hurting the people I love,” Timberlake started.
“A few weeks ago I displayed a strong lapse in judgement – but let me be clear – nothing happened between me and my co-star,” he claimed. “I drank way too much that night and I regret my behavior. I should have known better.”
“This is not the example I want to set for my son,” Timberlake continued. “I apologize to my amazing wife and family for putting them through such an embarrassing situation, and I am focused on being the best husband and father I can be. This was not that.”
He added: “I am incredibly proud to be working on Palmer. Looking forward to continuing to make this movie and excited for people to see it.”
There’s no denying how wrong Timberlake was. But at least he apologized. That takes a lot of courage, and it’s worthy of some respect. Right?
