Exclusive: Timberlake Says He's Appalled


LOS ANGELES (KCBS) In an exclusive interview Wednesday, Justin Timberlake told CBS 2 News that he was appalled by what happened, and that his own family was offended by his racy Super Bowl halftime duet with Janet Jackson. The singer insisted he thought only Jackson's bustier, not her breast, would be revealed when he pulled on her costume.

CBS 2' s Mark Coogan caught up with Timberlake at the Staples Center, where he was rehearsing for this weekend's Grammy Awards.

A frustrated Timberlake told Coogan he wanted to get something off his chest, then launched into his side of the story surrounding the now infamous Super Bowl halftime stunt.

He said he is excited to be in town for the upcoming Grammy Awards show, but is frustrated by what has grown into an international incident since last Sunday, and by the fact that his character was being questioned.

"I do understand that there were a lot of people that were completely offended by what happened, including my own family. And I think that's probably the part that's frustrating the most for me and it's completely, completely, completely, regrettable," he told KCBS.

Timberlake said that he's had a really good year, especially with his music, and doesn't need such publicity.

He's been on tour for months, he said, and had been asked by his manager to do something at the Super Bowl. He said he turned it down at first, but then agreed when Jackson called him. He said they found a way to work his song and hers into the same performance, so he decided to do the show.

"I don't feel like I need publicity like this. And I wouldn't want to be involved with this stunt, especially something of this magnitude."

Timberlake said that prior to the show he got a call from Jackson and her choreographer saying they wanted to do a "costume reveal."

"Now I was under the impression that what was going to be revealed in the costume reveal was a red bustier," he said.

He said he did not have time to rehearse it before taking the stage, and was then shocked at the outcome.

"When what happened, happened, all I could say was 'Oh my God, oh my God.'"

He said they brought a towel up on stage, and he covered her up as they walked off. "I was completely embarrassed and just walked off the stage as quickly as I could."

He said later that night he was asked to explain what happened, so he did.

"And now it's turned into an unfortunate, incredibly huge situation," he added.

"The only other thing that I could say is that I do understand, I do understand, how unfortunate this is."

He said having a delay during this Sunday's Grammy Awards show, to give producers a chance to electronically block any offensive material, is a good idea as far as he is concerned. But he said the producers won't need their thumbs on any button when he performs.

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I think its funny that Justin doesn't want his career to be damaged. I don't think he has too much to worry about. If telling a LA discjockey that he liked working with Nelly b/c he gives him free weed, and tell Rolling Stone that he lost his virginity when he was 13 and since has had many girls, and recently was covered on some magazine flipping the camera off - I don't think he has much to worry about.

Also, all of his family were not offended. His grandmother was quoted by a TN newspaper as saying "I was apalled. I thought it was funny."

:rolleyes:

I feel almost like he's selling Janet out. Bull crap that he didn't know her boob was going to pop out. He's just trying to save his own butt from public ridicule. He's just as guilty as her. They both wanted publicity and publicity is what they got.

I heard on the radio this morning that both the Oscars and the Grammy's will be on a 5 minute delay (I guess in case someone wants to show off their nipple piercing again).

I couldn't agree with you more.

Thank God someone has some sense! :cool:
Seriously, I do think it is being made too big a deal of by the FCC et al. I know, I know, showing naked boobie on TV is 'illegal', but I don't think it's a matter of national proportions. Especially when we have people without jobs, kids who can't read, and Americans dying in Iraq.

Also, JAM (and anyone else who can't understand Kid's lyrics ;) ) he was paying homage to his 'homies in the methedone clinic' and 'chics with beepers' and instructing us all to 'get in the pit and try to love someone' - all while wearing a desecrated American flag. Now, if that's not appropriate, I don't know what is!? :rolleyes: In my eyes, that was much worse than a one second shot of a nipple that was 80% covered by a silver sun...

Thanks for the summary on the lyrics. I honestly was just staring at him wearing the flag and didn't try to make out his words.
I grew up with people wearing the flag, burning the flag and such.
Which brings about a point. When one is exposed to something enough times they become desensitized. Perhaps that is why everyone who has watched MTV and some of the "racier" programs on TV see nothing wrong, or think it's overblown. Like I said way back. It's the venue that really ticks me off. If this was pay per view, I wouldn't have this attitude. I just think there has been an over-exposure to smut where our children are concerned.
Some parents don't care, but for those of us who do, we have been visually assaulted.

I wonder if any lawyers would take on a class action law suit brought by parents and/or offended
viewers?:D

I agree with you. I would be royally PO'd if I was a mother of a 6 year old boy and he saw that. If it had been on MTV, okay - its MTV, and stars can and will get out of hand especially when they know they have the production people mostly on their sides. CBS??? I don't think so. While I do agree this is getting way too much attention, I also agree as a parent I'd be just as angry.

Honestly, in my opinion had Justin kept his mouth shut at first I think it would have been a lil' less of a big deal. B/c he didn't respond until reporters told him that CBS was angry. Then it was another day before Janet responded. Had they waited a day, they could have come up with a much better lie.

As for Kid Rock, I don't know....I think it was tasteless.....however, this is the same guy that always is talking about how wonderful the USA is. Which maybe we don't need him as our main sponsor, but at least he's being positive - in a redneck, tasteless, cowboyish way. :rolleyes: I don't know...

When I was watching the Superbowl, I actually missed the boob shot. Thanks to the internet and the news, I have seen it again and again and again.... Seriously, I'm sick of it. :rolleyes: The local news in NY just continuously shows it with a blur. For something that everyone says is so appalling, they certainly are happy to show it. :rolleyes: