Justin Timberlake admits it’s been a “tough week” after he was charged with drunk driving.
The singer addressed fans at a concert in Chicago on Friday night, thanking them for their continued support of him.
The 43-year-old pop star was arrested in New York on Tuesday for running a stop sign and failing to stay on the right side of the road.
His lawyer said he looked forward to “vigorously defending” the singer.
In his first performance since the incident, Timberlake told the audience: “It’s been a rough week.”
“I know it’s hard for me to love sometimes, but you continue to love me and I love you,” he added.
He also reminded fans that they have all been through “ups and downs.”
The arrest occurred in Sag Harbor in the Hamptons, a popular summer retreat for Long Island celebrities.
When officers stopped him, Timberlake’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” and he had a “strong odor of alcoholic beverages on his breath,” a charging document said.
He spoke slowly and performed poorly on police sobriety tests, documents said.
He also refused to undergo a breathalyser test, the report added.
“I had a martini and followed my friend home,” Timberlake allegedly told the officer who stopped him, according to BBC America partner CBS News.
He was released on bail after being formally charged and is scheduled to appear virtually in court on July 26, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said.
Timberlake has previously spoken out about seeking help for excessive drinking.
“I look forward to vigorously defending Mr Timberlake against these charges,” his lawyer Edward Burke Jr told the PA Media news agency on Wednesday.
He added: “I will have a lot more to say in due course, but am currently awaiting full discovery from the District Attorney’s Office.”
Timberlake has been touring the United States to promote his sixth album, Everything I Thought It Was, and will launch an international tour next month, starting with a two-night stop in Poland.
His scheduled court date coincides with the start of his world tour at the Tauron Arena in Krakow.
In New York state, penalties for drunk driving-related charges include up to a year in jail, a $1,000 (£786) fine and the suspension of a driver’s license for at least six months.
Timberlake was scheduled to perform two shows in Chicago this weekend and perform at Madison Square Garden in New York City next Tuesday.
A former member of the popular ’90s boy band NSYNC, Timberlake is an actor, songwriter, and one of the best-selling music artists in the world.
The ten-time Grammy Award winner is also known for his roles in the films “The Social Network” and “Friends.”
Timberlake is married to actress Jessica Biel, with whom he has two children.
