BACKSTREET BOY SAYS SORRY

BACKSTREET BOY KEVIN RICHARDSON has explained and apologised for remarks he made in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in the US when he called the US an "arrogant nation" and asked "what has our government done to provoke this action that we don't know about?"

In a statement released over the weekend (September 22), Richardson said: "Firstly, I would like to apologize if my comments offended anyone. It was a hard time for everyone, and I let my emotions get the better of me at that moment. My thoughts were incomplete, and I didn't intend for them to come across as insensitive. I know how far-reaching this event is and almost all of us know someone who was directly affected by these disasters. Nobody, nobody, will walk away from this experience unchanged."

Explaining his use of the word "arrogant" Richardson said: "What I meant is that as a world superpower, I think we've become overconfident and taken our opportunities and freedom for granted. I feel like we've taken on the attitude that we, as a country, are untouchable. How did we get that way?

His statement continued:

"My dad was a serviceman in the US Army and I was enlisted in the Air Force before joining the Backstreet Boys, and so it hurts me that people would think I would betray the American values that were taught to me by my father... I pray that God walks with our leaders and our allies so they make the right decisions for our safety, and our future for our world."