Michael Buble Apologizes for Instagram Snap of Woman's Butt

UPDATE: Following the online controversy, Michael Buble issued a statement on April 17, telling Us Weekly his comments were not meant to be hurtful. “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,” he said. “It hurts me deeply that anyone would think that I would disrespect women or be insulting to any human being . . .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, honored and revered. I’ve spent my life believing that and will continue to do so.”

Michael Buble has hit a sour note with many of his one million Instagram followers. On vacation with his wife, Luisana Lopilato, in Miami earlier this week, the “Haven’t Met You Yet” singer was slammed for posting a photo of a woman and commenting on her backside.

The only problem? That woman wasn’t his wife — and it appears the photo was snapped without her consent.

“There was something about this photo Lu took that seemed worthy of Instagram,” Buble captioned the photo, which shows the singer in the foreground making a face in reference to the woman seen over his right shoulder. In his post, Buble remarks on the unidentified woman’s derriere using hashtags like #myhumps #babygotback #hungryshorts, and #onlyinmiami. It was liked over 31,000 times.

Since he posted the pic April 13, fans of the Canadian crooner — dad to son Noah, 19 months — have expressed outrage. “Would you say what you hashtagged to her face?” wondered one commenter who saw Buble’s post on Twitter. “I guess money can’t buy class,” sniped another.

. @michaelbuble hiiiii this is shamey and not very nice

— Lauren Simmons (@laurendorphin) April 14, 2015

@laurendorphin @michaelbuble yep. let’s humiliate a stranger. Stay Classy, Buble.

— Pedro Jonnez (@mrsharpphoto) April 14, 2015

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While many users condemned what they felt was body shaming on Buble’s part, others didn’t see the big deal.

“This isn’t body shaming. His hashtags weren’t even offensive,” one Instagram user posted in the photo’s comments section. “What’s shameful is that the woman has her butt hanging out of her shorts. . . . Maybe we should be criticizing what’s considered acceptable apparel instead of criticizing Michael for what he probably meant as a playful post.”

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