The internet is officially convinced Justin Timberlake is down with the swirl.
It’s been a wild couple of hours since photos and videos that appear to show Justin Timberlake and Alisha Wainwright holding hands at a bar in New Orleans and looking pretty cozy began circulating the internet on Saturday, Nov. 23. While fans don’t know what to think of the situation, a source “with direct knowledge of the situation” is now speaking out about the matter and saying it got blown out of context.
According to the folks over at People Mag, an inside source told the publication that despite rampant speculation, the situation was “completely innocent” following footage of their outing at a bar in New Orleans. In a video and still photos shared by The Sun, Wainwright appears to put her hand on Timberlake’s leg numerous times while they are talking. In others photos, the co-stars appear to be holding hands as they enjoy drinks. Onlookers reportedly told The Sun that the pair was “laughing and smiling” and appeared to be drinking heavily.
“At one stage he grabbed her hand and rested it on his knee. She then gently started stroking his leg,” a source reportedly told the publication. “Then he clutched her hand with both of his and was playing with her hands.”
While the footage and the description of the evening’s happenings might seem pretty incriminating at first glance, especially considering that Timberlake has been married to Jessica Biel since 2012 and they share their son Silas together, multiple sources reassured People that the co-stars’ rendezvous was not what it seemed.
First of all, People’s source reassured the publication that the pair, who are currently filming for the upcoming movie Palmer, were actually hanging out with a group of people and weren’t on a one-on-one outing, as it initially appeared from the photos and video.
“It’s a balcony with a group of people and it was definitely nothing happening,” the source explained. “He’s down there shooting [his film] Palmer, they’re starring in the movie together and they’re cool and everybody was just hanging out.”
Meanwhile, a rep for Wainwright echoed these sentiments to the publication, saying, “There is no validity to this speculation. They are currently working on a project together. Members of the cast and crew were all together.”
Her rep concluded, “The video may look a way, but literally it was nothing. It was some friends, members of the team, crew and people like that. They all know each other and were hanging. Like come on, they’re on an open balcony in New Orleans and he’s famous. It was nothing.”
“It’s a balcony with a group of people and it was definitely nothing happening,” the source explained. “He’s down there shooting [his film] Palmer, they’re starring in the movie together and they’re cool and everybody was just hanging out.”
At the time of publication, Timberlake and Wainwright had yet to publicly comment on the controversial footage that’s been circling the internet. However, from the sounds of things, it was a friendly situation between two co-stars that got blown out of context, so Timberlake and Biel stans can rest easy for the time being. Take a look at some of the internet’s reactions along with the photos below. Thoughts?
hmmm justin timberlake….let me go listen to what goes around real quick pic.twitter.com/jjfDxXRnmL
— 。・゚゚・ We deserve a soft epilogue, my love ・゚゚・。 (@dracoslmalfoy) November 23, 2019
Me seeing these pics of Justin Timberlake and Alisha Wainwright from Raising Dion pic.twitter.com/pMES8wZri9
— Leah (@LeahSinclairr) November 23, 2019
Baby the hillbillies are about to drag Alisha Wainwright when they should focus on cheating Justin Timberlake.
— F (@ohfads) November 24, 2019
Justin Timberlake’s team is trying to make this seem like no big deal! Do U think it’s appropriate for a married man to hold hands with someone other than his wife or a relative? Covertly under a table! And letting her put her hand on his knee and thigh! https://t.co/jkTq393n9f
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) November 24, 2019
Just read the article and saw the photos of Justin Timberlake cheating on Jessica Biel with Alisha Wainwright. Damn JT….come on man!!! pic.twitter.com/76StJyu3Ot
— JamesOliverEvaCrossland (@CrosslandOliver) November 24, 2019
Christ it looks like she's caught up in Justin Timberlake tabloid bullshit. They were spotted in a bar, I guess, so of course everyone's jumping to conclusions that he's cheating with her. I mean he's a piece of shit, and I can't stand him but gooood leave Alisha alone
— mindy | the witch of the wilds 👑 (@gaywoodandbine) November 24, 2019