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Musical popstar Justin Timberlake took to Instagram with an apology to his former girlfriend, Britney Spears, and pop legend Janet Jackson, for not speaking up when he should. Instagrammers told Timberlake to save it.
Many viewed Timberlake’s recent apology as shallow and late, seeing that Timberlake hasn’t been with Spears since 2002, and the Super Bowl XXXVIII controversy with Ms. Jackson took place in 2004. Timberlake is nearly two decades late on his apology. With his silence having resulted in millions of monetary damages for Jackson and Spears.
Timberlake went on to perform at another Super Bowl, having not apologized to Jackson. When companies shaded Spears, Justin was silent.
Moreover, radio stations pulled Janet Jackson’s music and the Grammy’s canceled her performance, as she was forced to go on an apology tour, even though it was Timberlake who uncovered her breast.
Instagrammers claimed that Timberlake only publicly apologized after The New York Times documentary “Framing Britney Spears” aired.
“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,” Timberlake wrote. “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.”
Perhaps the most impactful part of his message was when he mentioned his white privilege and how it’s benefited him within the music industry.
“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.”
Nevertheless, it wasn’t enough for the thousands of Spear’s and Jackson’s fans who called bullsh*t on his apology.
One Instagrammer wrote, “This apology is disgusting. It’s obvious that you paid someone to do it for you. Your publicist did a terrible job. These written post apologies are the absolute worst way to deal with the issues.”
We checked Jackson’s and Britney’s Instagram for a response; none was given by either pop Queen.