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Justin Timberlake Issues Half-Assed Apology for Video Mocking Homeless People
Justin Timberlake (Featureflash / Shutterstock.com)
Justin Timberlake was rightfully mortified recently when a video from his wedding surfaced that featured the hilarious concept of homeless people being interviewed about why they couldn't make it to the nuptials. At least one of the individuals in the clip later said that he had no idea why he was being interviewed, and that his feelings were very hurt by it.
The short film was made by L.A. real estate agent Justin Huchel, and now, Timberlake has published an open letter apologizing for Huchel's actions, which TMZ posted in full.
The only thing is, while the letter is a respectable gesture, it's sort of a poor excuse for an apology.
Timberlake starts by congratulating himself for being such a good man as to address the controversy:
Normally, as some of you know, I am (by nature) a pretty private person. So, I don't really take it upon myself to comment on things that so often go misunderstood or something that has even shed any kind of dark light on what was and will always be one of the most special weeks of my life. But, in light of the recent events, I can't fight the urge to clarify my thoughts and feelings on what has been a very upsetting portrayal of the people closest to me and myself. It's not who I am as a professional or as a man.
He then notes that he has better values than to make fun of someone:
I'd like to start off by saying that I don't live my life making fun of people (unless, of course, I'm making fun of myself on SNL)... Especially, those who are less fortunate or those in need. I grew up with a family and community that instilled ideals in me like hard work, honesty and empathy.
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Then, he says that he didn't know anything about the video, and that his friends are actually not bad people and that hey, the intention behind the video was pretty amusing:
1. I had no knowledge of its existence. I had absolutely ZERO contribution to it. 2. My friends are good people. This was clearly a lapse in judgment which I'm sure no one who is reading this is exempt from. But, I don't believe it was made to be insensitive. More so, I think it was made as a joke on me not having that many friends attending my own wedding(which IS kind of funny if you think about it).
You can bet your ass that I'm having my friend do at least 100 hours of community service... Boom.
Somehow, we find that sort of hard to believe.
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