Justin Timberlake admits it’s been a “tough week” after he was charged with drunk driving.
Speaking to fans at a concert in Chicago on Friday night, the singer also thanked them for their continued support.
The 43-year-old pop star was arrested in New York on Tuesday for running a stop sign and failing to keep on the right side of the road.
His lawyer said he looked forward to “vigorously defending” the singer.
During his first performance since the incident, Timberlake told the crowd: “It’s been a rough week.”
He added: “I know sometimes I’m hard to love, but you continue to love me and I love you back.”
He also reminded fans that they have all been through “ups and downs left and right.”
The arrest occurred at Sag Harbor in the Hamptons, a popular summer destination for Long Island celebrities.
When officers stopped him, Timberlake’s eyes were “bloodshot and glassy” and “there was a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from his breath,” according to charging documents.
His speech was slowed and he performed poorly on officers’ sobriety tests, the document said.
He also refused a breath test, it added.
According to CBS News, the BBC’s US partner, Timberlake told the police officer who stopped him: “I drank a martini and followed my friends home.”
He was released without bail after being formally charged and is scheduled to appear in court virtually on July 26, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office said.
Timberlake has previously been outspoken about seeking help for excessive drinking.
On Wednesday, his lawyer Edward Burke Jr told news agency PA Media: “I look forward to vigorously defending Mr Timberlake on these charges.”
He added: “I will have more to say at the appropriate time but am currently awaiting full discovery by the District Attorney’s office.”
Timberlake is touring the US to promote his sixth album, Everything I Thought It Was, and is expected to kick off the international leg next month, starting with a two-night run in Poland .
His scheduled court date coincides with the start of his world tour at the Tauron Arena in Krakow.
In New York state, penalties for crimes related to drunk driving include a prison sentence of up to one year, a $1,000 fine, and a driver’s license suspension for at least six months.
Timberlake is scheduled to perform two shows in Chicago this weekend, followed by a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York next Tuesday.
A former member of the popular ’90s boy band NSYNC, Timberlake is an actor, musician, and one of the world’s best-selling music artists.
The 10-time Grammy Award winner is also known for her roles in the films The Social Network and Friends With Benefits.
Timberlake is married to actor Jessica Biel and has two children together.
