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Timberlake spoke out on his Instagram account
after criticism this week on social and mainstream media of
interviews he gave some 20 years ago about his sex life with
Spears when both were at the height of their careers.
The backlash followed the broadcast of a TV documentary about
the rise and fall of Spears, including how she was shamed in the
media when their relationship ended in 2002.
Timberlake also has been dogged for years by accusations that he
failed to take sufficient responsibility for the infamous
"wardrobe malfunction" during the 2004 Super Bowl half time show
when he mistakenly exposed Janet Jackson's breast on stage.
"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, " Timberlake, 40, wrote on Instagram.
The "Sexy Back" pop star, now married to actress Jessica Biel,
said he was sorry for speaking out of turn, or not speaking up,
for what was right in the past.
"I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many
others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and
racism," he said.
Timberlake and Spears dated for about three years before
splitting up abruptly in 2002. Spears was questioned in the
media about her virginity while Timberlake said he had slept
with her and then wrote a song "Cry Me a River" in which he
implied that she had cheated in the relationship.
In Friday's apology, Timberlake said the entertainment industry
sets white men up for success.
"Because of my ignorance, I didn't recognize it for all that it
was while it was happening in my own life," he said.
Spears' business and personal affairs have been controlled by
court-appointed conservators since 2008.
Representatives for Jackson and Spears did not immediately
respond to requests for comment on Friday.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Richard Chang)
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