Justin Timberlake cries mea culpa

Justin Timberlake with son Silas and wife Jessica Biel

After the media erupted with news that he was holding hands with costar Alisha Wainwright in New Orleans and without his wedding ring, singer-actor Justin Timberlake publicly apologized on Instagram for what he described as a “strong lapse in judgment.”

Timberlake is in New Orleans filming “Palmer,” where he tries his hand in drama by playing the title role of Eddie Palmer, an ex-convict who strikes up a friendship with a boy from a troubled home. Fisher Stevens directs.

Insisting nothing happened between him and his costar, Timberlake wrote: “I drank way too much that night, and I regret my behavior. I should have known better. This is not the example I want to set for my son. I apologize to my amazing wife and family for putting them through such an embarrassing situation, and I am focused on being the best husband and father I can be. This was not that. I am incredibly proud to be working on ‘Palmer.’ Excited for people to see it.”

Timberlake said, although he normally stayed away from gossip, he felt it was important to “address the recent rumors that are hurting the people I love.”The former ’NSync member has been married to actor Jessica Biel for seven years. They are parents to 4-year-old Silas. INQ