LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Pop star Justin Timberlake publicly apologized on Friday to his ex-girlfriend Britney Spears and singer Janet Jackson, saying he had failed them in the past.
Timberlake spoke on his Instagram account after criticism this week on social and mainstream media of interviews he gave about 20 years ago about his sex life with Spears, when both were at the height of their careers.
The reaction followed the broadcast of a TV documentary about Spears’ rise and fall, including how embarrassed she was in the media when their relationship ended in 2002.
Timberlake was also chased for years on charges that he failed to take sufficient responsibility for the infamous “wardrobe defect” during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show, when he mistakenly exposed Janet Jackson’s breast on stage.
“I want to apologize specifically to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson individually, because I care and respect these women and I know I failed,” wrote Timberlake, 40, on Instagram.
The “Sexy Back” pop star, now married to actress Jessica Biel, said she was sorry to speak out of time, or not to speak, for what was right in the past.
“I understand that I have failed at these times and at many others and have benefited from a system that tolerates misogyny and racism,” he said.
Timberlake and Spears dated for about three years before breaking up abruptly in 2002. Spears was asked in the media about her virginity while Timberlake said he had slept with her and wrote a song “Cry Me a River” in which he hinted that she had betrayed in the relationship.
In Friday’s apology, Timberlake said the entertainment industry is preparing white men for success.
“Because of my ignorance, I did not recognize everything that happened while it was happening in my own life,” he said.
Spears’ business and personal affairs have been controlled by court-appointed conservatives since 2008.
Representatives for Jackson and Spears did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Friday.
Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Richard Chang edition