Justin Timberlake made a public apology on Instagram to his wife and family after photos emerged showing him holding hands with a female co-star during a night out at a New Orleans bar.

The singer and actor posted the surprising note on Wednesday night, writing he normally doesn’t engage in “gossip,” but felt like he had to clear the air.

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“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,” he wrote. “A few weeks ago I displayed a strong lapse in judgment — 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.”

He went on to say he didn’t want to set a bad example for his son, 4-year-old Silas, whom he shares with wife Jessica Biel.

“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,” he went on. “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.”

Last month, Britain’s Sun newspaper published photos and video of the 38-year-old star holding hands with actress Alisha Wainwright, his co-star in the upcoming movie “Palmer,” during a night out at a Bourbon Street bar on Nov. 21.

Some photos also showed the 30-year-old Wainwright with her hand on Timberlake’s knee.

In the upcoming drama, Timberlake plays a man just released from prison who goes back to his hometown and strikes up a friendship with a boy whose mother abandoned him, according to Deadline. Wainwright plays a teacher who starts a relationship with Timberlake’s character.

Timberlake and Biel, who celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary this year, have never been shy about expressing their love for each other. Earlier this year, Timberlake posted a touching birthday message to his wife on Instagram.

In October, he told “Entertainment Tonight” Biel has changed him in “so many ways.”

He talked about how Biel supported him in 2018 when he had to cancel several shows due to a vocal cord injury.

“I think anybody out there, you know, you go through anything, to have somebody by your side to really go through it with you and get in the mud with you, so to speak, I’m sure you know what that’s like,” he told “ET.”