Justin Timberlake apologizes after tweet about BET Awards
Justin Timberlake learned today that the internet doesn’t forget anything.
The pop singer found himself in a flurry of controversy after what started as a simple declaration of praise for Jesse Williams’ Humanitarian Award acceptance speech at last night’s BET Awards. Timberlake has long been accused by critics of appropriating black culture for commercial gain and was dragged for his role in the 2004 Super Bowl “wardrobe malfunction” controversy.
So when he initially tweeted he was “#Inspired” by Jesse Williams speech, Twitter users decided to call him out for the ‘gentrifying’ of black ‘genius’ Williams spoke about.
@iJesseWilliams tho…#Inspired #BET2016
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
Twitter user Ernest Owens responded writing, “So does this mean you’re going to stop appropriating our music and culture? And apologize to Janet too.”
So does this mean you're going to stop appropriating our music and culture? And apologize to Janet too. #BETAwards https://t.co/0FwBOQR24D
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) June 27, 2016
Timberlake wasn’t amused and clapped back writing, “Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation. Bye.”
Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
But a lot of the Twitterverse wasn’t feeling Timberlake’s dismissal.
Tell that to Janet. @jtimberlake
— roxane gay (@rgay) June 27, 2016
@jtimberlake Your whole career has been biting off of black music. You wouldn't even be as popular as you are if you were black..
— shelly from da block (@OhItsShell_) June 27, 2016
Timberlake came back with a clarification and then an apology. “I feel misunderstood. I responded to a specific tweet that wasn’t meant to be a general response. I shouldn’t have responded anyway…I forget this forum sometimes… I was truly inspired by@iJesseWilliams speech because I really do feel that we are all one… A human race.”
I feel misunderstood. I responded to a specific tweet that wasn't meant to be a general response. I shouldn't have responded anyway…
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
I forget this forum sometimes… I was truly inspired by @iJesseWilliams speech because I really do feel that we are all one… A human race
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
He closed off by saying he had “nothing but LOVE” for everyone.
I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US.
–JT
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016
I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US.
–JT
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) June 27, 2016