Following the Framing Britney Spears documentary, Justin Timberlake has publicly apologized to Britney Spears on Instagram for the decisions he’s made in his past.

 

Justin writes:

“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 up for what was right.  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.

I also feel compelled to respond, in part, because everyone involved deserves better and most importantly, because this is a larger conversation that I wholeheartedly want to be part of and grow from.

The industry is flawed.  It sets men, especially white men, up for success.  It’s designed this way.  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.

I have not been perfect in navigating all of this throughout my career.  I know this apology is a first step and doesn’t absolve the past.  I want to take accountability for my own missteps in all of this as well as be part of a world that uplifts and supports.

I care deeply about the wellbeing of the people I love and have loved.  I can do better and I will do better.”

 

 

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A post shared by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake)


 

Samantha Stark, who serves as the producer and director of Framing Britney Spears says in a statement, “We didn’t ask Justin for comment, just like we didn’t ask a number of other people who appear in archival footage for comment.  Interviewees make points about the media coverage surrounding the breakup … unlike other people who we didn’t ask for comment, we don’t make any allegations against Justin.  We simply let the footage play.” 

 

Justin’s apology comes nearly 20 years after he and Britney dated in their late-teens.  Justin and Britney first met as children while performing together on The Mickey Mouse Club, and dated for four years before calling it quits in 2002.  Following their breakup, Justin ‘publicly announced he slept with her’ and accused her of cheating on him.  That entire scenario was played out in Justin’s ‘Cry Me A River’ music video, which featured a Britney-lookalike.

 

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