Justin Timberlake took to Instagram to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson amid the criticism he has received in the wake of a new documentary on Britney. The New York Times Presents Framing Britney Spears, released last Friday and examines the pop star’s controversial conservatorship and her downward spiral in the early 2000s, which became a fodder for several jokes made by late night hosts and tabloids that delighted and presented her struggles in a truly abhorrent fashion.
The documentary includes a discussion on Britney’s and Justin’s high-profile relationship and suggests that the former was shamed in the media for her behaviour when the relationship ended. She received the brickbats and questions while Justin walked away unscathed and boasting about having slept with her.
In his statement issued on Instagram, Justin apologized for his behaviour to both Britney and Janet, his fellow Super Bowl halftime performer for the infamous ‘wardrobe malfunction’. He wrote, “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. I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism. 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.”
Britney on Tuesday, for the first time appeared to address the emotional documentary in an Instagram post. Seemingly referring to the project, she wrote, “Each person has their story and their take on other people’s stories !!!! We all have so many different bright beautiful lives!!! Remember, no matter what we think we know about a person's life it is nothing compared to the actual person living behind the lens.”
In the documentary, the pop singer’s scuffle with the paparazzi was shown where she attempted to beat them with an umbrella around the time she shaved her head. It also highlights how late night hosts picked on Britney and made jokes on her, until Craig Ferguson took a stand while hosting the Late Late Show in 2007 where he said he could no longer pick on Spears because it broke his heart. He said, “Tonight — no Britney Spears jokes. This woman has two kids, she’s 25 years old, she’s a baby herself. She’s a baby.”
The audience clearly was not sure what to make of the moment; as Ferguson talked about not attacking "vulnerable people," there were some uncomfortable chuckles. But by the end, the studio audience was in complete silence. Ferguson, who has been open about his own personal struggles, such as addiction, said that comedy should be about “attacking the powerful people, the politicians and the Trumps and the blowhards.” He added that he had grown "uncomfortable" kicking celebrities while they were down. He told viewers, “This is totally a mea culpa, this is just for me. I think my aim's been off a bit recently and I want to change it a bit.” Ferguson’s clip from the show is going viral on the internet in the wake of the documentary.
Never forget when Craig Ferguson refused to make fun of Britney Spears. pic.twitter.com/r8AuiNPW0L
— Britney Fan (@BritneyHiatus) February 9, 2021
In a hearing on the case of Britney’s conservatorship, the LA Superior Court judge ruled that her father James Spears will no longer serve as the sole conservator but will now have to share control over her estate and personal matters with the financial firm The Bessemer Trust.
(Source: Instagram/Twitter)
