Justin Timberlake considers quitting touring after ‘exhausting’ concerts

JUSTIN Timberlake could quit touring following a nightmare end to his world tour, two sources close to the superstar have told The U.S. Sun.

The Cry Me a River singer has drawn widespread criticism from disappointed fans who have accused him of not performing on stage.

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FAN FURY

Social media was flooded with angry JT followers who claimed he was barely trying and relying too heavily on crowds to sing back some of his smash-hit anthems.

Timberlake was accused of looking tired and listless on stage.

The Forget Tomorrow World Tour wrapped up in Istanbul on Wednesday night after 121 grueling shows.

However, The U.S. Sun has spoken to two sources close to the 44-year-old who fear it could be the last time Timberlake travels the globe.

The first insider understands why the backlash has become so fierce and claims the NSYNC legend is just exhausted, fed up, and frustrated.

“He’s struggling with getting older and feeling like things aren’t going his way,” he told The U.S. Sun.

“Since the tour started, he’s been withdrawn, constantly in a bad mood. It’s like he sees this as his ‘last dance,’ and he doesn’t want to do it again. He feels stuck in the shadow of his old successes, and he hates that image.”

The source also claims his marriage to actress Jessica Biel is suffering as a result of his personal struggles.

Relationships with the tour crew have also allegedly hit rock bottom.

“He’s exhausting everyone,” continued the insider. “He’s coming off like a diva—a tired artist throwing tantrums, giving half-hearted performances, and letting fans do most of the singing. That’s not the Justin I used to know.

“People are quitting after this tour, no question. We’ve talked to so many disappointed fans who felt totally let down—some even asking for refunds. It’s heartbreaking to see, but unless he wakes up, he’s heading straight for a wall.”

SCATHING CLAIMS

Disgruntled fans claim Timberlake has “hardly been singing”—although the condemnation hasn’t been universal.

One fan who saw him in Atlanta last November said he was “amazing,” before urging him to “take a break and recharge.”

A particularly damning post, however, slammed the star.

“Justin Timberlake really thought he could do the bare minimum and get away with it?” raged the fan. “People didn’t drop $500 to watch a lifeless karaoke act. No energy. No vocals.”

A crew member who has worked extensively with the singer confirmed to The U.S. Sun that he is “p****ed off about everything” and that he’s “totally unengaged.”

“I’ve worked with him on multiple tours, and I’ve never seen him like this—so selfish, so checked out,” said the tour veteran.

“He barely sings during shows, just floats through it. Fans are noticing, and they’re angry. We’ve had hundreds of people say they felt betrayed after buying tickets and getting half a show.

“It’s been embarrassing, honestly. The whole tour feels like a mess, and most of us can’t wait for it to be over. A lot of us won’t work with him again after this. He’s even talking about stepping away from the spotlight completely—no more concerts, no more public life.”

DIRTY POP

The recent tour backlash is just the latest in a series of controversies that have dogged Timberlake and called his character into question.

Last summer, he was arrested in New York for allegedly driving while intoxicated.

TIMBERLAKE TROUBLES

2023

• October 2023: Britney Spears’ Memoir Release
  • Britney Spears’ highly anticipated memoir, “The Woman in Me,” was released. In it, she made several significant claims about her past relationship with Timberlake (from 1999-2002).
  • Spears revealed she became pregnant with Timberlake’s child and had an abortion at his urging, stating he “wasn’t happy about the pregnancy” and “said we weren’t ready to have a baby.”
  • She also accused him of cheating on her during their relationship, while admitting to cheating once herself.
  • Spears discussed how Timberlake’s music video for “Cry Me a River” (2002), which featured a Spears lookalike, portrayed her as a “harlot who’d broken the heart of America’s golden boy,” severely impacting her public image at the time.
  • The memoir reignited public scrutiny of Timberlake’s past actions and how the media treated female celebrities in the early 2000s.

2024

• June 18, 2024: DWI Arrest in the Hamptons
  • Timberlake was arrested in Sag Harbor, Long Island, New York, for driving while intoxicated (DWI).
  • Police reported that he ran a stop sign and veered out of his lane. Officers observed him with “bloodshot and glassy” eyes, detected a strong odor of alcohol, and noted his “slowed speech” and unsteadiness.
  • He reportedly told the arresting officer he had “one martini” and refused a breathalyzer test multiple times.
  • The arrest, particularly the officer reportedly not recognizing him and Timberlake’s alleged comment, “This is going to ruin the tour,” went viral and became a significant talking point and meme online.
  • His driver’s license was suspended for a year in New York State due to his refusal of the breathalyzer.
• September 13, 2024: Plea Deal in DWI Case
  • Timberlake reached a plea deal in his DWI case, pleading guilty to a reduced charge of impaired driving. He expressed remorse for his actions in court, stating, “I did not live up to the standards that I try to hold for myself” and “I should have had better judgment.” As part of the deal, he was reportedly obligated to make a public safety announcement.

2025

• July 2025: “Lazy” Concert Performances & Fan Backlash
  • During his “Forget Tomorrow World Tour,” Timberlake began facing significant criticism for his live performances.
  • Concertgoers widely complained about “lazy stage energy,” minimal live singing, and relying heavily on backing vocals and pre-recorded tracks.
  • Some fans reported booing at shows and demanding refunds, with many social media comments suggesting the tour was a “total flop.”
  • This criticism overlapped with the lingering discussions around his past controversies, leading some to call it “karma.”

Timberlake was later released without incident, yet the arrest in the Hamptons added fuel to the fire for those questioning his current behavior.

Earlier this year, Timberlake faced renewed criticism over his past treatment of Britney Spears, following the release of her explosive memoir The Woman in Me. 

Spears alleged that Timberlake pressured her into an abortion during their early 2000s relationship and portrayed her unfairly in the media after their split—claims that reignited backlash against the pop star online.

The U.S. Sun contacted a representative for Timberlake, but has yet to hear back.

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