Justin Timberlake publicly apologizes to Jessica Biel for PDA pics with co-star: 'I drank way too much that night'

Justin Timberlake has addressed photos and video that surfaced last month showing him holding hands with a woman who wasn’t Jessica Biel.

Cameras recorded the singer holding hands with actress Alisha Wainwright, his co-star in the upcoming movie Palmer, in New Orleans, where they’re filming. Britain’s The Sun published a series of images of the two being overly friendly as they sat together at a Bourbon Street bar.

Timberlake didn’t speak about the incident until Wednesday, when he apologized to his wife of seven years and their 4-year-old son, Silas.

“I stay away from gossip as much as I can, but for my family I feel it is important to address recent rumors that are hurting the people I love,” Timberlake wrote. “A few weeks ago I displayed a strong lapse in judgement — but let me be clear — nothing happened between me and my costar. I drank way too much that night and I regret my behavior. I should have known better.”

Then he brought up Silas.

“This is not the example I want to set for my son,” the “Mirrors” singer wrote. “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. Looking forward to continuing to make this movie and excited for people to see it.”

Immediately after the photos were published, sources insisted to both People and Us Weekly that there was nothing romantic going on between Timberlake and Wainwright. They called it “completely innocent” and said the on-screen love interests are “like brother and sister.”

At the time, a rep for Wainwright said, “There is no validity to the speculation.”

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:

• Jane Lynch supports Gabrielle Union in NBC's 'America's Got Talent' controversy, as network announces formal investigation

• Criss Angel says his 5-year-old son's cancer has returned

• Brad Pitt, 55, says he now values his 'missteps': 'They led to some wisdom'

Want daily pop culture news delivered to your inbox? Sign up here for Yahoo Entertainment & Lifestyle’s newsletter.