Is Justin Timberlake ‘Appropriating’ Black Culture? Here’s His Response

Former NSYNC frontman gets called out on Twitter during BET Awards

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Justin Timberlake found himself wishing he never opened his beautiful singing mouth last night on Twitter.

The pop star wrote that he was “inspired” by a Jesse Williams‘ speech during the BET Awards, which led to a follower accusing the ex-NSYNC frontman of “appropriating” black “music and culture” to advance his career. Twitter user Ernest Owens also asked Timberlake to apologize to Janet Jackson for his hand in 2004’s “Nipplegate” Super Bowl duet.

Timberlake responded to Owens on the social media platform: “Oh, you sweet soul. The more you realize that we are the same, the more we can have a conversation.”

That ruffled some online feathers, apparently. Timberlake returned to the platform about an hour later to apologize to anyone offended.

“I feel misunderstood. I responded to a specific tweet that wasn’t meant to be a general response,” the singer began. “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,” he continued. “I apologize to anyone that felt I was out of turn. I have nothing but LOVE FOR YOU AND ALL OF US.”

Here’s the order of the Twitter conversation, explanation, and eventual mea cupla:

https://twitter.com/jtimberlake/status/747276674073395200

Tony Maglio

TV Editor • tony.maglio@thewrap.com • Twitter: @tonymaglio

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