Red Flags For Jessica Biel & Justin Timberlake's Marriage From Our Relationship Expert

On their own, both mega-star Justin Timberlake and renowned actor Jessica Biel have long been Hollywood darlings, so it's no wonder that their romance has also been a little idolized. Married since 2012 and sharing two sons, Biel and Timberlake have seemingly achieved the dream of a stable, committed family — something that can be extra tough in the busy, heavily scrutinized lifestyle of the rich and famous. As one fan commented on a photo of the duo from Biel's Instagram, "You guys are awesome together! So jelly!"

However, it's a short hop from rock-solid to just rocky, and even comfortable, long-term relationships can flounder through difficult periods. To find out how this might manifest in Biel and Timberlake's marriage, Glam spoke exclusively to behavior and relationship expert Patrick Wanis, PhD. As an experienced trauma therapist, celebrity life coach, and self-development author, Dr. Wanis has keen insight into the interpersonal struggles of marriage — including those in the public eye. From balancing their hectic schedules to navigating recent legal troubles, he's identified a few red flags that Timberlake and Biel need to handle with care.

Many marriage vows include love and support "in good times and bad" — an ethos that's resonated in the relationship between Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel. For example, Dr. Patrick Wanis points out that Timberlake honored Biel during his 2015 induction into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. A YouTube video of the NSYNC alum's speech reveals that he called Biel "beautiful, loving, and incredibly understanding of her husband's shortcomings."

Sadly, this understanding is being tested by Timberlake's June 2024 arrest for driving while intoxicated. The pop star was pulled over in Sag Harbor, New York, and spent nine hours in police custody after failing field sobriety tests. Us Weekly claims that sources have called Biel "shocked," "extremely upset," and "really worried" about her husband. Radar Online spreads similar gossip, quoting an unnamed source: "Her friends think she's married to a loser and hate that so much of her life is taken up with trying to get Justin to stay on the straight and narrow."

However Biel actually feels, such a family crisis can only add pressure — and Dr. Wanis cites the DWI as just one obstacle facing the couple. "They are facing so many challenges presently: a marriage between two people who are busy with their own careers, traveling independently, raising two children, and now confronting Justin's charges for DWI and potentially a deeper, underlying problem," he exclusively tells us. The solution to this red flag? As Dr. Wanis strongly suggests, "They need to reinforce their vows of support to each other," or potentially give rise to even more serious problems.

Justin Timberlake's DWI isn't just embarrassing — handled poorly, it could shake the confidence in his relationship with Jessica Biel. Unfortunately, this hubbub isn't Timberlake's first scandal. He also jeopardized Biel's trust in 2019, spawning rumors of infidelity by getting too close to "Palmer" co-star Alisha Wainwright. Photographs from a night out in New Orleans showed Wainwright placing a palm on the "Sexy Back" singer's knee, while others showed Timberlake and Wainwright holding hands.

Timberlake vehemently denied any infidelity but acknowledged that he'd crossed a line. In a now-deleted Instagram post, he apologized, writing, "I displayed a strong lapse in judgment. ... This is not the example I want to set for my son." Timberlake added, "I apologize to my amazing wife and family for putting them through such an embarrassing situation, and I am focused on being the best husband and father I can be," (via People).

Following his DWI, Timberlake needs to summon up the same courage and transparency. If not, Dr. Patrick Wanis predicts trouble. "Should Justin choose to avoid discussing what happened ... he will create a rift between him and Jessica and she could easily lose trust in him," he exclusively told Glam. According to Dr. Wanis, any avoidance or stonewalling will only worsen the situation. "It is critical that he speaks all of his truth with Jessica," Dr. Wanis says. "And he must accept full responsibility for his actions, and be willing to get professional help if there is a deeper underlying problem."

In any romance, it's important to value your partner. In fact, appreciation could be the key to a successful relationship. But for couples like Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel, who live their lives on the public stage, it can be especially tough to escape bad press and maintain a positive outlook. "This is a red flag for every relationship: The choice and/or inability to express admiration, acknowledgment, and appreciation for your partner's success and achievements," Dr. Patrick Wanis exclusively warns Glam. "Praising, supporting, and encouraging each other builds trust and deepens the respect and bond between a couple."

Dr. Wanis acknowledges that, in the past, Biel and Timberlake have nailed this relationship necessity. For instance, Timberlake celebrated his wife on Instagram during Valentine's Day 2024, writing, "Every time I look at you, I fall in love bigger and better than I ever could have imagined. Every day I get to share with you reminds me how lucky I am to experience love without limits or conditions."

Biel returned the favor on Father's Day 2024, writing on Instagram, "To us you are the rock. The rock we climb on, we lean against. The rock that shades us from the sun. ... We love you." However, Dr. Wanis foresees a red flag if they get overwhelmed and fail to honor each other for their successes — which could all too easily happen during the currently stormy seas of their marriage.

Marriage is always hard, even when your names aren't constantly dragged through the tabloids. Complicating matters further, Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake are both navigating a busy, career-forward period — which could put their romance and important marriage troubleshooting on the back burner. Timberlake is in the middle of his "Forget Tomorrow" world tour, a travel-heavy schedule that will keep him on the road until at least December 2024. Meanwhile, Biel has both hands full with filming for "The Better Sister," the Amazon Prime thriller series she headlines with Elizabeth Banks.

Speaking exclusively to Glam, Dr. Patrick Wanis expresses concern over this disconnected schedule, which will leave the couple in separate cities for months. "If they don't schedule time to rest and recuperate, they could potentially lose connection and transfer their frustrations and fatigue onto each other, resulting in arguments and disconnection," Dr. Wanis cautions. This is only worsened by the timing of Timberlake's DWI. It's tough to be there for a long-distance loved one, and both Biel and Timberlake could probably use the in-person comfort and support of a partner while trying to address and move past this latest ignominy.

As they work through current obstacles, it's vital that Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel maintain the pillars that have gotten their partnership this far. As Dr. Patrick Wanis observes, Biel has repeatedly emphasized the importance of clarity and transparency in her marriage to Timberlake. Speaking to People, she revealed that their relationship mantra is, "Communication, communication, communication." The star added that this approach demands "the ability to be really honest about how you're feeling and what your needs are."

Biel's definitely on to something — poor communication is the reason most relationships fail, according to research. And even in otherwise healthy partnerships, certain factors can cause communication breakdowns. These factors may include resentment (say, because your husband keeps getting into highly visible trouble), lack of connection (like being kept apart by months of long-distance work), or disagreements that bring up unrelated issues (perhaps the stress of a DWI echoing the stress of cheating rumors).

In other words, the current relationship between Timberlake and Biel has all the ingredients for a communication implosion. But Dr. Wanis warns the duo against shutting down. "I believe that the number one red flag would be failing to make time right now to connect and communicate with each other," he exclusively tells Glam. It seems that if this A-list couple is going to get through their troubles together, then they truly need to get through them together.