Uproar over what Timberlake memorably described as a "wardrobe malfunction" is showing no sign of letting up. A publicist for Jackson said she's probably pulling out of a scheduled appearance at Sunday's Grammy Awards, which will be broadcast on a delay system to avoid any similar incidents.
Timberlake, in an interview with KCBS-TV outside the Staples Center, where he was rehearsing for the Grammys , said he understood "how unfortunate this is."
"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.
He also said he was frustrated that his character was being questioned.
Timberlake said that before 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 ... was a red brassiere, bustier," he said.
He said he did not have time to rehearse the move before taking the stage, and was shocked at the outcome. Jackson's right breast, clad only in a sun-shaped "nipple shield," was exposed for a second to some 89 million viewers.
"I mean, I was completely shocked and appalled, and all I could say was "Oh my God, Oh my God," Timberlake said.
Jackson's spokeswoman said a red lace garment was supposed to remain, and Jackson issued apologies Monday and Tuesday.
Jackson was supposed to present an award during the Grammys telecast, but she may back out, her publicist, Steven Huvane, told CNN.
"We don't think she's going to go," he said.
A call to the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which oversees the Grammys, was not immediately returned Wednesday.
CBS promises to institute a video delay system to avoid any similar incidents at the Grammys. The network faces a Federal Communications Commission investigation into whether the Super Bowl show violated decency laws.
ABC also said it will implement an audio and video delay for its domestic broadcast of the Academy Awards on Feb. 29.
The NFL, meanwhile, responded to outrage over the Super Bowl show by replacing one of Timberlake's 'N Sync bandmates, JC Chasez , in the Pro Bowl halftime show Sunday in Honolulu.
Timberlake granted restraining order against woman
Nov 9, 2009 4:21 pm PST
A judge on Monday ordered a woman to stay away from Justin Timberlake for the next three years. Timberlake wrote in court filings that Karen McNeil repeatedly showed up at his house and trespassed on his property last month. McNeil, wh...
Label hunts hackers who stole Lewis/Timberlake song
Aug 19, 2009 6:23 am PDT
Record label SyCo and music trade body IFPI have called in the police to help them hunt down computer hackers who leaked a track by Leona Lewis and Justin Timberlake on the Internet. The song, "Don't Let Me Down," is being considere...
Justin Timberlake: Stinkin' Up America, Too!
Jul 10, 2009 9:48 am PDT
Is there anything Justin Timberlake can't—or won't—do? Seriously, every day we hear about something else the "SexyBack" crooner has attached himself to. His latest deal? Let's just say it really stinks...
Justin needles his record boss about 'SexyBack'
Jun 18, 2009 2:00 pm PDT
Jamie Foxx is the comedian, but he provided the music and Justin Timberlake got all the laughs at a charity event to honor their record label boss. Timberlake, Foxx and others paid tribute to RCA/Jive Label Group President Barry Weiss on ...
Justin Timberlake restaurant in sexual discrimination suit
May 18, 2009 11:00 am PDT
An ex-manager at Justin Timberlake’s BBQ restaurant in New York has filed a suit against the company, saying she was sexually harassed while at work. Alison McDaniel says she was forced to watch porn in a locked office at Southern Hospita...