Michael Buble says he didn’t mean to disrespect women with his Instagram photo

TORONTO – Canadian crooner Michael Buble says he didn’t mean to disrespect women or insult anyone with his recent Instagram post featuring a woman in short shorts.

Earlier this week, Buble posted a photo on his Instagram account in which the woman, an apparent stranger, stands with her backside to the camera in the background.

Buble is seen grinning in the foreground in the photo, which has the hashtags: “#myhumps #babygotback #hungryshorts #onlyinmiami #picoftheday #beautifulbum.”

The post has the caption: “There was something about this photo lu took ,that seemed worthy of instagram,” referring to his wife, Luisana Lopilato.

Comments on the photo, which made international headlines, ranged from accusations of body shaming and privacy invasion to defence of Buble.

In a post on his Facebook account Friday, Buble said the photo “was meant to be complimentary and lighthearted” and that it was not his intention to offend anyone.

“Anybody who knows me would never misinterpret the message of the photo my wife took in Miami that seems to have caused unexpected rage by some people,” wrote the Grammy winner, who hails from Burnaby, B.C.

“I do not court controversy. But I realize that a photo that was meant to be complimentary and lighthearted has turned into a questionable issue. For the record, it hurts me deeply that anyone would think that I would disrespect women or be insulting to any human being.”

He added he “was not brought up that way and it is not in” his character.

“I regret that there are people out there who found the photo offensive. That was not and is not my intention. Women are to be celebrated, loved, respected, honoured and revered. I’ve spent my life believing that and will continue to do so.”