Justin Timberlake apologized toBritney Spears andJanet Jackson in a lengthy Instagram statement.- "I care for and respect these women and I know I failed," Timberlake wrote in the apology.
- His statement comes after facing backlash for his past treatment of the two women.
Justin Timberlake posted a lengthy statement to Instagram on Friday apologizing to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson.
"I've 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 for what was right," the singer wrote.
He continued: "I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism."
"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," Timberlake wrote.
He went on to decry the
"I know this apology is a first step and doesn't absolve the past," Timberlake said, adding that he wants to "take accountability" for his own "missteps."
The singer concluded his statement by telling followers, "I can do better and I will do better."
Timberlake's statement comes after he's faced growing backlash for his treatment of Spears, whom he dated for several years in the early 2000s, and Jackson, who performed with him at the now-infamous halftime show for Super Bowl XXXVIII.
Fans took issue for the way he treated Spears after their widely-publicized split in 2002, including making references to their sex life and casting a Spears look-alike (who cheats on the Timberlake character) in his video for "Cry Me A River."
Timberlake was eventually able to move past his *NSYNC origins after the breakup, but Spears faced an overwhelming backlash that painted her as a villain in the media.
On social media, people have called out Timberlake for "slut-shaming" Spears, and accused him of derailing her career.
Fans have also leveled criticisms at Timberlake for his role in Jackson's famous wardrobe malfunction while performing with her at the 2004 Super Bowl.
Timberlake inadvertently exposed Jackson's breast during the performance, causing the NFL to sever ties with MTV, who produced the halftime show.
Following the backlash, MTV's parent company Viacom effectively "blacklisted" Jackson, as Rolling Stone reported, refusing to play her music on channels like MTV and VH1, as well as Viacom-owned radio stations.
Timberlake's role in both Spears' and Jackson's career has been called into question recently, following the release of the New York Times-produced documentary "Framing Britney Spears" on Hulu.
"the ascent of justin timberlake in the wreckage of both britney spears and janet jackson is really something we have to answer for," MTV editorial director and vice president Terron Moore wrote on Twitter.
—Terron Moore (@Terr) February 6, 2021