Justin Timberlake apologized to ‘shocked’ crew present hours after DWI arrest as they feared tour date would be canceled

JUSTIN Timberlake apologized after his shock arrest in Sag Harbor, telling his team backstage: The show must go on.

The US Sun has spoken to a source close to the Cry Me a River singer, who is adamant his world tour will not be affected despite being arrested by police in the Hamptons for drink driving and skipping a stop sign .

He is due back in court on July 26, the same date as the start of his world tour in Poland, with doubts mounting over the 43-year-old’s ability to perform as the controversy swirled.

A Sun insider who works with Timberlake’s entourage says the former NSYNC star spoke his mind during a lengthy conference call in the hours after the shock arrest.

Our source says members of Timberlake’s crew were concerned about the future and that the incident “wasn’t the best thing to happen” given his hectic summer schedule.

LEADERSHIP FROM THE FRONT

But Timberlake, who was released on bail, was described as a “very solid leader” who impressed everyone by leading the way and “owning” the situation.

“He made sure that this arrest did not cause tension within the crew. He responded like a boss, like someone who owns his stuff,” said the insider, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

“He said sorry for bringing this kind of attention to the team. Everyone was happy to hear what he said.”

Timberlake’s attorney, Edward Burke, has vowed to “vigorously” defend his client. He refused a breath test and was described in a criminal complaint as having “bloodshot and glassy” eyes after he was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

BUSINESS AS NORMAL

Police also wrote that there was “a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath,” that his speech was slurred and that he had difficulty with some field sobriety tests.

Under New York State laws, the 10-time Grammy winner could be jailed for a year, fined or lose his license for six months.

He’ll play two shows in Chicago this weekend before rocking New York City’s iconic Madison Square Gardens next Tuesday.

One of his tour coordinators, who also spoke to The US Sun on condition of anonymity, said crew members learned of the arrest only “hours” after the event and feared the tour would be cancelled.

It’s the latest problem Timberlake is dealing with.

Ticket sales for his tour are slow, his latest single has not yet peaked and close friends are advising him to think about taking a break.

Meanwhile, a show in Columbia, South Carolina on June 8 was canceled without explanation.

However, he is determined to continue.

“We were told early on that nothing would change,” he said.

Timberlake was “excited,” according to the source, and told everyone “with a big smile that he was sorry” before admitting “he shouldn’t have done that.”

“We are 110% motivated to put it all behind us and put on some fantastic shows,” said the tour coordinator.

“He is a responsible man who made a mistake.”

The US Sun reached out to Timberlake’s representatives but did not immediately hear back.