The February 5 premiere of the
documentary “Framing Britney Spears” on FX and its subsequent streaming
availability on Hulu has shone a spotlight on the career of pop star Britney
Spears, and how she had been set up as a target victim by the same culture that
idolized her. Amidst feelings of discomfort from her fans came a rising wave of
contrition for their indirect culpability, and indignation at various
personalities that have benefitted at Spears’ expense, among them her father
and financial conservator Jamie Spears, critical interviewer Diane Sawyer, and
former boyfriend Justin Timberlake. He was especially lambasted on social media
and flood with insistent calls that he apologize.
And so he did on Friday last week
as BBC tells it. A post on his
Instagram page dated February 12 saw Justin Timberlake issuing apologies to one-time
girlfriend Britney Spears as well as to Janet Jackson, popularly perceived as
another major victim from association with the recording artist in 2004 during the
Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show. In a lengthy post the former NSYNC boy band
member stated he was sorry for the controversial actions he had done at both
women’s expense, describing such as having “benefitted from a system condoning
misogyny and racism.”
"I've seen the messages,
tags, comments, and concerns and I want to respond,” Timberlake’s message
began. “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…and Janet… because I care for
and respect these women and I know I failed.” The star also noted that the
entertainment industry as it stands did seem to prioritize success for men, and
that he must take accountability for having allowed himself to prosper off it.
Justin Timberlake’s relationship
with Britney Spears lasted from about 1999 to 2003. He later admitted in a radio
interview that they had been physically intimate then pinned responsibility Spears
for ending things. Timberlake even called it out irreverently with a Britney
lookalike in the music video for his song “Cry Me a River.” Fans sided with
Justin and blamed Spears, beginning a gradual negative turn in public
perception against her. Janet Jackson performed with Justin during the 2004
Super Bowl halftime, where he tore part of her clothes and exposed one of her
nipples in the infamous “wardrobe malfunction” incident.
Britney herself has remained
cordial with Timberlake, particularly in social media where she expresses her
respect for his musical artistry. Janet meanwhile has not directly responded to
Justin’s message, though she did leave a touching video shout-out to her fans
on Twitter last Valentine’s Day.
Image courtesy of The Guardian
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