Justin Timberlake was "unaware" his manager urged Janet Jackson to forgive him.

Justin Timberlake

Justin Timberlake

The 40-year-old singer reportedly had no idea that after Janet posted a message on her Instagram urging her followers to "Always choose to heal, not hurt. To forgive, not to despise. To persevere, not to quit. To smile, not to frown. And to love, not to hate", Johnny Wright suggested she take her own advice and repair her relationship with Timberlake.

He wrote: "You should take this advice and to apply it to your relationship with Justin."

The comment has since been deleted but screenshots have been posted on social media.

However, a source close to Justin told the New York Post's Page Six: "Justin was not aware of his comment to her. Johnny did this all on his own."

Justin and Janet have not spoken since their infamous Super Bowl performance in 2004, when Justin ripped a part of her costume and accidentally exposed her breast.

Meanwhile, Justin recently issued a public apology to Janet, as well as to Britney Spears – whom he dated between 1999 and 2002 – after he was blasted online following the release of the ‘Framing Britney Spears’ documentary, as it seemingly suggested he had used the music video for his 2002 single ‘Cry Me A River’ to accuse Britney of cheating on him.

He wrote on social media: "I've seen the messages, tags, comments and concerns and I want to respond. I am deeply sorry for the time in my life where my actions contributed to the problem, where I spoke out of turn, or did not speak up for what was right. I understand that I fell short in these moments and in many others and benefited from a system that condones misogyny and racism.

“I specifically want to apologize to Britney Spears and Janet Jackson both individually, because I care for and respect these women and I know I failed. I also feel compelled to respond, in part, because everyone involved deserves better and most importantly, because this is a larger conversation that I whole heartly want to be part of and grow from.

“The industry is flawed. It sets men, especially white men, up for success. It’s designed this way. As a man in a privileged position I have to be vocal about this. Because of my ignorance, I didn’t recognize it for all that it was while it was happening in my own life but I do not want to ever benefit from others being pulled down again. (sic)”