Justin Timberlake's DWI arrest and humiliation of cop not recognizing him is karma for star's mistreatment of Britney Spears and Janet Jackson, novelist suggests

A best-selling novelist has claimed that Justin Timberlake's arrest and humiliation is karmic payback for his treatment of Britney Spears and Janet Jackson. 

Jennifer Weiner, best known for her book 'In Her Shoes' which was turned into a movie starring Cameron Diaz, said she was enjoying Timberlake's shame in a New York Times opinion piece. 

On Tuesday, he was arrested on suspicion of DWI while driving away from a night at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor. To add insult to injury, the cop who arrested Timberlake had no idea who the 43 year-old singer was when he protested about a court case affecting his tour. 

Weinfer, 54, that the former NSYNC band member's fall from grace has been a long time coming after he easily escaped from two infamous controversies that badly damaged Spears and Jackson. 

In 1999, Spears and Timberlake famously confirmed their relationship and quickly become beloved by their throngs of fans. 

But in 2002, the pair broke up and controversy ensued. In a series of music videos including 'Cry Me A River' and suggestive interviews, Timberlake implied that Spears had cheated on him, which had led them to parting ways.

At the time, Timberlake's claims caused massive backlash towards the 'Criminal' singer to the point that Diane Sawyer asked a tearful Spears, 'You did something that caused him so much pain. So much suffering. What did you do?' in a 2003 interview. 

It was in 2023, with the release of Spears's memoir that fans came to know Timberlake was the one who had cheated and dumped her through a text message. 

In the same book, she also revealed that during their relationship, she had become pregnant and it was Timberlake who insisted on an abortion. 

Spears also recounted that as she writhed in agony on the bathroom floor due to the pain, he was playing his guitar. 

But Timberlake and Spears's relationship and the subsequent drama is not the only notable controversy in his career. 

In 2004, Timberlake was onstage performing with Jackson during her Super Bowl halftime show. 

At one point the choreography, the boy band alum was meant to pull off a panel of her bustier but instead tore off a huge piece of her costume and exposed her breast on live TV. 

In the following days, Jackson was condemned and disinvited from the Grammys over the 'wardrobe malfunction,' which were held a week after the incident. 

While Jackson was on the receiving end of public criticism for the incident, Timberlake went on to win best male pop vocal performance at the awards.

In his over 20 year career, Timberlake has also been accused of appropriating traditionally black music but not actually standing up for social issues impacting black people. 

Critics of the 'Mirrors' singer as well fans of the female pop stars have celebrated Timberlake's recent arrest and humiliation, but Weiner suggests that once again, he will escape unharmed from this - due to being a white male. 

'Some part of me wants to believe that if the ultimate Teflon-coated rich white dude is no longer so able to charm his way out of trouble, a larger cultural sea change might be underway,' Weiner wrote. 

To support her claims, Weiner quoted Timberlake's 'fake apology' that he made to Jackson and Spears. 

After the release of Spears's memoir, the 43-year-old took to social media and expressed his regret over what had happened. 

'I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed.

'I also feel compelled to respond, in part, because everyone involved deserves better and most importantly, because this is a larger conversation that I wholeheartedly want to be a part of and grow from,' the musician wrote. 

But during a New York City concert this January, Timberlake clarified that he had 'apologized to absolutely f****** nobody'. 

In the end, Weiner predicted that as always the singer is going to be 'just fine' and will continue to reap the benefits of being a white man in the US. 

Last night, he broke his silence and publicly addressed his arrest.

He opened up to his fans at the United Center Stadium in Chicago on Friday as he resumed his Forget Tomorrow World Tour.

The singer was arrested on Tuesday after he enjoyed a night out with friends at the American Hotel in Sag Harbor - but he has since claimed he only had one drink during the course of the night.

'It's been a tough week,' Timberlake told the crowd. 'I know I'm hard to love sometimes but you keep loving me right back.'

He further sent love to his fans that were in attendance, stating that they have all faced, 'ups-and-downs and lefts-and-rights.'

After the arrest, a source recently told People in an article published on Friday that the singer was 'freaking out' while in custody - as it is also claimed he is struggling with the end of his 'golden boy image.'

'He was freaking out and stayed up all night when he was in custody. He's insisting he only had one drink and it wasn't some wild night out.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to representatives for Timberlake and has yet to hear back.

Justin has maintained that he only had one drink on the night of the incident. According to his arrest report he told the officer - who did not recognize him - after being pulled over: 'I had one martini and I followed my friends home.'

This comes as the pop star is reportedly struggling with the end of his 'golden boy image' and feelings that his career is not where he hoped it would be at this point.

The father-of-two, who has won more than 10 Grammys since rising to fame as one of the lead vocalists for the boyband NSYNC, has endured a tough year as an artist.

His latest single, Everything I Thought It Was, marked his first solo release not to hit the number one spot on the charts since his track, Justified, was released in 2002.

Additionally, the sales for his The Forget Tomorrow World Tour have been described as 'lackluster.'