DUI Incident in Nevada City

• 🍻 Justin Martindale recounts a DUI arrest at age 23 after a night of drinking with cast members from the Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival.
• 🚗 Despite being the designated driver, a shot of Jack Daniel's and a minor traffic infraction led to the stop by a "hot cop."
• 🚨 A breathalyzer reading of 2.8, which he disputes, led to his arrest, being slammed on the hood of his car, and spending the night in jail.
• 🚶‍♂️ Released at 5 AM in the pouring rain with a dead phone, he was forced to walk nine miles to reach a familiar exit, suffering cracked ribs from a police boot kick.
• ⚖️ Years later, the DUI case was dropped due to insufficient evidence and the arresting officer no longer working there, but the ordeal caused him significant financial and emotional distress, leading him to avoid owning a car for over a decade.

Blacklisted from Chelsea Lately

• 🎤 Martindale shares how a Drunk incident at a Christmas party for Chelsea Lately led to him being blacklisted from the show and the network for three years.
• 🍸 Despite being told he was a good fit for a potential spin-off, his excessive drinking at the party, while Chelsea Handler was sober, resulted in him being kicked out.
• 📺 He later discovered he was even featured in a monologue on Chelsea Lately about the incident, solidifying his exclusion.
• 😔 The blacklisting caused significant depression and career setbacks, with managers repeatedly trying and failing to get him booked on the show.
• 💡 The reason for his removal was simply that he was too drunk and annoying to the sober host.

Hollywood Twink Days and Exploitation

• ✨ Martindale discusses his experiences as a young, slender, hairless gay man in Hollywood, often referred to as a "twink."
• 📸 He recounts a time he and other young men were photographed naked in a shower for what he later learned was for Brian Singer's house.
• 🎲 Another incident involved a man claiming to be a model scout from Craigslist who met him at a hotel, took his clothes off, and sexually assaulted him.
• 🏠 These experiences, coupled with heavy drug and alcohol use, led to him being kicked out by his roommates and seeking help.
• 🌱 He emphasizes that these experiences, while exploitative, were also part of a reset that ultimately led him to pursue acting and rebuild his life.

The Importance of Responsible Choices

• 🚫 The podcast highlights the dangers of drinking and driving, emphasizing the severe consequences and the availability of ride-sharing services today.
• 🚗 Martindale's DUI experience serves as a cautionary tale about the risks associated with alcohol and driving, even when trying to be responsible.
• 🎤 He also touches on the exploitative nature of some aspects of the entertainment industry, particularly for young, vulnerable individuals.
• 🙏 The episode concludes with Martindale expressing gratitude for his journey and the lessons learned, encouraging responsible behavior.