"I care for and respect these women and I know I failed."
In the wake of the documentary "Framing Britney Spears," Justin Timberlake's fans have been very vocal about what they thought of the singer's past behaviour.
New York Times' revelatory new documentary highlights the rise of Spears' career, her mental health challenges, the inappropriate treatment she received by unrelenting media and the discord over her conservatorship, controlled largely by her father, Jamie.
And yesterday Timberlake took to Instagram to formally acknowledge he has seen the tags and messages, and he wants to own up to his past mistakes and behaviour.
In the lengthy statement
posted to Instagram, the 40-year-old wrote:
"I have seen the messages, tags, comments, and concerns and I want to respond. I am deeply sorry for the times in my life where my actions contributed to the problem, where I spoke out of turn, or did not speak up for what was right."
I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed."
He continued:
"The industry is flawed. It sets men, especially white men, up for success. As a man in a privileged position I have to be vocal about this. Because of my ignorance, I didn't recognize it for all that it was while it was happening in my own life but I do not want to ever benefit from others being pulled down again."
He added:
"I have not been perfect in navigating all of this throughout my career," Timberlake added. "I know this apology is a first step and doesn't absolve the past. I want to take accountability for my missteps in all of this as well as be part of a world that uplifts and supports."
He added:
"I care deeply about the wellbeing of the people I love and have loved. I can do better and will do better."
Justin Timberlake is married to actress Jessica Biel, and the couple are parents to young sons, Silas and Phineas.
