As #FreeBritney trends, Justin Timberlake apologises to Britney Spears, Janet Jackson

His apology comes a week after the release of Framing Britney Spears, a documentary that examines the circumstances that led to Spears’ conservatorship in 2008

Timberlake acknowledged he ‘fell short’ in his behaviour towards Spears and Jackson, and ‘benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism’

Reading Time:2 minutes

Justin Timberlake says he wants to ‘take accountability for my own missteps’. File photo: Invision/AP

Published: 9:46am, 13 Feb 2021Updated: 9:45am, 13 Feb 2021

In a lengthy social media post, US pop star Justin Timberlake says that he wants to apologise to singers Britney Spears and Janet Jackson “because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed”.

“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,” he wrote. “I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism.”

Timberlake’s social media post comes a week after the release of The New York Times’ documentary, Framing Britney Spears, the FX and Hulu film that takes a historical look at the circumstances that led to Spears’ conservatorship in 2008 and highlights the #FreeBritney movement of fans who want to see her released from it and given control of her life.

Justin Timberlake and then-girlfriend Britney Spears pictured at the 28th Annual American Music Awards on January 8, 2001. File photo: Reuters

The documentary aired an old interview when Timberlake spoke about sleeping with his former girlfriend and indicated that he ridiculed her by hiring a look-a-like for his Cry Me a River music video.

Fans called out Timberlake for contributing to Spears’ very public breakdown and controlling the narrative about the end of their relationship.