It’s a reminder of choices made.
A 2001 Budweiser ad featuring NSYNC has made headlines again, this time following Justin Timberlake’s recent plea deal related to his June drunk driving arrest.
The 43-year-old singer, known for hits like Cry Me A River, saw his initial misdemeanor charge for driving while intoxicated dropped on Friday. Instead, he pleaded guilty to a lesser noncriminal traffic violation of driving while impaired.
His sentence includes 25 hours of community service with a charity of his choice and a 90-day driver’s license suspension.
Timberlake is also required to pay a fine of $500 plus a $260 surcharge. Notably, his plea agreement mandated a public safety announcement about the dangers of drunk driving, which has brought back memories of that quirky Super Bowl XXXV spot featuring the boy band.
In the commercial, the group visits parents, including one humorous encounter where Lance Bass greets a confused father with, “Hey, how’s it going, we’re *NSYNC?”
The spot aired in the same year the band made waves at the Super Bowl halftime show alongside greats like Aerosmith and Britney Spears. In it, Timberlake emphasizes, “We’re just going door-to-door to say thanks,” while his bandmate Joey Fatone adds, “Yeah, for talking to your kids about drinking.”
Timberlake was arrested on June 18 in the Hamptons after allegedly running a stop sign and swerving from his lane following an outing at a hotel. Initially, he pleaded not guilty but later worked out a plea deal, which included a public safety announcement on drunk driving.
Following the court hearing, Timberlake expressed regret, stating, “I try to hold myself to a very high standard. This is not that… Even if you’ve had one drink, don’t get behind the wheel. Alternative options like calling a friend or using rideshare services are available.”
Timberlake also reached out to the community of Sag Harbor, saying, “I know this situation must have impacted you all. I’m grateful for the understanding and support from everyone involved.”
In closing, he emphasized the importance of safety, reminding everyone, “This is a mistake that I made, but I’m hoping others can learn from it, just as I have.”