Bublé's butt pic on Instagram ignites furor
Canadian crooner Michael Bublé went on the defensive Friday night after an earlier Instagram post featuring a woman's rear spawned widespread criticism.
On Monday, he posted a shot taken by wife Luisana Lupilato featuring him in front of a counter. In the background stands a woman in short shorts, with cheek visible. Her back is to the camera and she may not have known she was being photographed, let alone that said photo would be posted online where it would be seen by hundreds of thousands of people.
The original post bore the caption, "There's something about this photo Lu took that seemed worthy of Instagram."
Flash-forward four days and 7,600 comments (many of them about objectifying women) later.
"Anyone who knows me would never misinterpret the message of the photo that my wife took in Miami that seems to have caused unexpected rage by some people," he wrote in a statement posted to Instagram Friday.
"I do not not court controversy," he continued. "But I realize that a photo meant to be complimentary and lighthearted has turned into a questionable issue. … I regret that there are people out there who found the photo offensive. That was not my intention. Women are to be celebrated, loved, respected honored and revered. I've spent my life believing that and will continue to do so."