There’s always that one guy, you know? Justin Timberlake learned that the hard way this week, and now he’s the one apologizing.
Justin Huchel earned his 15 minutes of fame by producing a 19-second video called “Greetings From Your Friends Who Couldn’t Make It,” broken by Gawker. Huchel filmed homeless people and transvestites from Los Angeles offering their congratulations and wedding wishes to the couple. One toothless man says:
“Justin, Jessica. I haven’t seen you all in a long time, my gift is in the mail.”
Timberlake’s friend likely was poking fun at his friend’s lavish Italian wedding celebration (guess he wasn’t invited), which some estimate cost the couple $6.5 million. However, it comes off poorly, and the unfortunate subjects of the video end up being the butt of the “joke.”
On Saturday, Timberlake issued an apology on his website:
“…[I]n 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.
I can’t help but think of one of the many great life lessons my Grandfather has taught me… He told me when I was younger that “Sometimes, you are confronted with challenges in life that perhaps are not your own. And, when those moments arise, the right thing for a man to do is accept that responsibility, whatever it may be, and face it with honesty and humility.”
So, I’m taking his advice. If for no other reason, than to clear the air so no one has to ever wonder how I feel about it.
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. As a matter of fact, growing up in Tennessee, I was always taught that we as people, no matter what your race, sex, or stature may be, are equal. We have a saying there that “Everyone puts their pants on the same way (maybe this saying doesn’t apply to guys who wear kilts. Although, I’m sure they put theirs on the same way too…)”
As it pertains to this silly, unsavory video that was made as a joke and not in any way in mockery:
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).
3. Like many silly rumors that I have been made aware of about the week: It was NOT shown at my wedding.
4. I think we can all agree that it was distasteful, even though that was not its intention.Once again, in the world that we live in where everyone thinks that they know everything, I want to be very clear… I am NOT defending the video. I agree with the overall consensus. But, to use another “pants” analogy… It seems that these days, misconception gets around the world before the actual truth even wakes up and gets its pants on.
I want to say that, on behalf of my friends, family, and associative knuckleheads, I am deeply sorry to anyone who was offended by the video. Again, it was something that I was not made aware of. But, I do understand the reaction and, by association, I am holding myself accountable.
He ends the letter by claiming he’s going to make Huchel do “at least 100 hours of community service” as a punishment.
JT certainly sounds contrite. Do you think he really is, or is this statement just PR mop up? Or maybe you think he had nothing to apologize for in the first place? Drop a comment and tell us!
Photo: WENN.com
