After an old video, in which Justin Bieber tells a racist joke, was leaked online, the singer issued an apology.

The clip shows 15-year-old Bieber telling an offensive joke where the punchline includes the N-word.

In a statement, he says: “As a young man, I didn’t understand the power of certain words and how they can hurt. I thought it was Ok to repeat hurtful words and jokes, but didn’t realize at the time that it wasn’t funny and that in fact my actions were continuing the ignorance.

“Thanks to friends and family I learned from my mistakes and grew up and apologized for those wrongs. Now that these mistakes from the past have become public I need to apologize again to all those I have offended,” he continues.

“I’m very sorry. I take my friendships with people of all cultures very seriously and I apologize for offending or hurting anyone with my childish and inexcusable mistake. I was a kid then and I am a man now who knows my responsibility to the world and to not make that mistake again.

“Ignorance has no place in our society and I hope the sharing of my faults can prevent others from making the same mistake in the future. Once again… I’m sorry.”

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