Inside Justin’s PRIVATE HELL
Justin Timberlake’s world falls apart as he struggles to save his marriage to Jessica Biel in the wake of a devastating betrayal
It was, as public apologies go, pretty epic. On Dec. 4 — nearly two weeks after he was photographed getting close to his Palmer co-star Alisha Wainwright in New Orleans while not wearing a wedding ring — Justin Timberlake took to Instagram to attempt to explain his behavior and make amends with wife Jessica Biel and their 4-yearold son, Silas. “I feel it is important to address recent rumors that are hurting the people I love,” he began. “A few weeks ago I displayed a strong lapse in judgment — but let me be clear — nothing happened between me and my co-star. I drank way too much that night and I regret my behavior. I should have known better.” Justin also said he wanted to “apologize to my amazing wife and family for putting them through such an embarrassing situation.”
But the mea culpa may have been too little, too late. Since Justin,
38, was busted on camera holding hands with Alisha, 30 — who was also at one point seen rubbing the inside of his thigh on the balcony of the Old Absinthe House bar overlooking Bourbon Street on Nov. 21 — sources confirm he’s been struggling to save his seven-year marriage. “The cheating scandal has exploded and the repercussions of Justin’s actions in New Orleans are far from over,” a source tells Life & Style. “Jessica won’t return his texts or calls. She’s making his life a living hell. Justin could lose everything. His comfortable life has been completely shattered.”
EAGER TO FIX THINGS
Sources in the singer-actor’s camp initially tried to play down his antics, characterizing the intimate, boozy encounter with another woman while Jessica, 37, was nearly 2,000 miles away in LA as innocent. Alisha’s rep also implied in the immediate wake of the scandal that the Shadowhunters and Raising Dion actress had nothing to be sorry for, as there was “no validity to this speculation” and that Alisha and Justin were simply “working on a project together.” But in his own statement, Justin — who’s no stranger to cheating speculation (see sidebar) and in 2004 sued a
“I am focused on being the best husband and father I can be. “Justin
newspaper that claimed he’d been unfaithful to then-girlfriend Cameron Diaz, 47 — acknowledged the seriousness of his behavior. “He has no one to blame but himself,” admits the source.
Now he’s desperate to make amends. “He’s even promised to quit drinking,” says the source, who calls Justin’s public apology another step in his efforts to “clean up the mess he’s made,” even though it’s seemingly backfired by bringing even more attention to his betrayal. “While he’s tried to apologize to Jessica — both publicly and privately — and still continues to, it’s not enough. She’s furious.”
Once trust goes, it’s hard to get it back. “What Justin isn’t aware of is that Jessica reached out to someone she knows on the Palmer set — and that person has been reporting back to her since all the drama went down,” reveals the source. “Jessica hates to do it, but she needs to be certain that Justin is telling the truth about Alisha. That there’s zero going on between them.”
AWKWARD SITUATION
The New Orleans set of Justin and Alisha’s film is rife with tension right now. “Justin’s got to continue to film this movie with Alisha, but their indiscretion has become the focus of everyone’s attention. It’s a distraction,” explains the source. “Everyone on set is very aware of what went down, and there’s a weird atmosphere.” Justin also knows he’ll eventually have to promote the movie — which follows an exconvict who befriends a boy from a troubled home — with Alisha. And the ensuing press tour and photo ops will no doubt bring attention to the scandal yet again. “When Palmer comes out, it will likely dredge up all the cheating rumors,” says the source. “This isn’t the type of buzz any film wants. If it’s not an amazing film, it will end up only being remembered as the movie that Justin betrayed his wife during.”
What goes around comes around. Justin famously put ex-girlfriend Britney Spears, 38, through the emotional ringer when he all but branded her a cheater with his hit 2002 song “Cry Me a River.” So he can hardly be upset, says the source, that Jessica is making his life miserable after how he disrespected her. “Justin wants Jessica to give him another chance, but a lot of their friends don’t think it’s fixable — Justin and Jessica are not in a great place,” notes the source. “He’s begged for couples therapy. It might be the only thing that can save them.”
Luckily, for Justin, Jessica seems to be on the same page. “She feels only a professional can help them communicate at this point,” says an insider. “They clearly have some serious issues to resolve. She loves Justin, but she refuses to be humiliated like this!” But even if they do seek counseling, “they’ve got a long way to go to repair this marriage. And it still might not get fixed,” the source adds.
They’ve reached a turning point. “They’ve never argued so much or shed so many tears,” says the source of the pair’s 12-year relationship. “Justin is determined to save his marriage, but it’s all in Jessica’s hands. She holds all the cards.”