Chris Brown Latest Star to Say 'I'm Sorry'

July 21, 2009— -- For celebrities, the mea culpa has become almost as common as red carpet affairs and trashy tabloid headlines.

Chris Brown is the latest star to make waves with a public apology, saying he's sorry for allegedly beating and bruising his pop star girlfriend Rihanna. The move came almost six months after their pre-Grammy Awards altercation.

In a video posted on his YouTube page Monday, the 20-year-old R&B singer apologizes to his fans, claims to have apologized to 21-year-old Rihanna "countless times," reiterates that he's seeking help and explains why he didn't open up sooner.

"Since February my attorney has advised me not to speak out, even though since the incident I wanted to publicly express my deepest regret and accept full responsibility," Brown begins.

"Although I would do some interviews and answer some questions in the future, I felt it was time you heard directly from me that I am sorry. I have tried to live my life in a way that would make those around me proud of me, and until recently, I think I was doing a pretty good job. I wish I had the chance to live those few moments again, but unfortunately I can't."

"I cannot go into what happened, and most importantly, I'm not going to sit here and make any excuses. I take great pride in me being able to exercise self-control and what I did was inexcusable. I am very sad and very ashamed of what I've done."

Brown, clad in a red jacket and speaking directly to the camera, goes on to add that he's seeking help to ensure "that what occurred in February can never happen again." He concludes the two-minute long video with the assertion, "I intend to live my life so that I am truly worthy of the term 'role model.'"

Celebrity Apologies More Common

If it seems we're seeing more celebrity apologies these days, it's probably because, given the speeded-up technology-filled world we live in today, we're also seeing more celebrity gaffes and missteps.

"People in the public eye are scrutinized tremendously, and every word they say is examined publicly," etiquette expert Harriette Cole told ABCNews.com. "So when someone misspeaks or says something rude or hurtful, it's critical that that person apologize.

"Given the nature of the media, once something is said or written, it exists forever," she added. "So it is very important to correct your record. And the best way to correct your record is to do so when you truly regret whatever it is what you did or said." Here are some other celebrities who have had mea culpa moment recently:

Tom Cruise

In December 2008, Cruise returned to the "Today" show set for the first time since his 2004 anti-psychiatry rant, and the fading action star expressed regret for his previous interview with host Matt Lauer.

In their now famous June 2004 confrontation, Cruise dismissed Brooke Shields' use of anti-depressants to treat her post-partum depression and told Lauer he was being glib and did not know anything about psychiatry.

"It's not what I intended," Cruise told Lauer this week. "In looking at myself, I thought, 'Man, that came across as arrogant.' ... That's one of those things you go, 'OK, I could have absolutely handled that better.'"

In hindsight, Cruise said, "I thought I didn't communicate it the way that I wanted to communicate it. And that's also -- that's not who I am. ... That's not the person that I am."

"A lot of stuff was going on," he added. "I learned a really good lesson."

Kanye West

After Kanye West kept fans at last summer's Bonaroo music festival waiting for two hours, he was greeted with boos and bad press. He later issued a somewhat angry apology on his Web site:

"This is the most offended I've ever been ... This is the maddest I will ever be. It broke my heart that I couldn't give these fans 'Stronger' in its finest form. I'm sorry to everyone that I didn't have the ability to give the performance I wanted to. I'm sorry."

Us Weekly senior editor Bradley Jacobs believes West's fans accepted his apology. "He was angry, he was showing a passion," he said. "No doubt about it, he was sincere, and it rings true. He's never quiet. He has an ego. I think that statement is very true to him. I think it works."

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone waited until she was dropped as a Christian Dior spokesperson in China before apologizing for her remark to a reporter that China's August earthquake may have been "karma" for the way the Chinese government has treated Tibet.

Issuing an apology through Dior in China, the "Basic Instinct" star said, "In the course of the interview, I made inappropriate remarks, and for any harm created towards the Chinese people, I am extremely sad and apologize."

Jacobs believes Stone's apology missed its mark. "I think when you criticize a group so broadly, as she did, people expect a much more profound apology. A statement wasn't going to necessarily cut it," he said.

Cole says apologies that aren't heartfelt end up appearing gratuitous. "Many people apologize immediately, and you can tell by tone of voice, by body posture or by the means of communicating, whether the apology is authentic," she said. "I would venture to say that an in-authentic apology is worse than saying nothing."

Amanda Peet

Amanda Peet, a paid proponent of childhood vaccinations, apologized for calling parents who refuse to vaccinate their children "parasites." But she did not back down from her stance on the issue.

"I believe in my heart that my use of the word 'parasites' was mean and divisive," she wrote in a letter of apology. "I completely understand why it offended some parents, and in particular, parents of children with autism who feel that vaccines caused their illness. For this I am truly sorry. However, I still believe that the decision not to vaccinate our children bodes for a dangerous future."

Peet went on to make her case for why children should be vaccinated. No one would accuse her of over-apologizing.

"You have to be careful not to look pathetic," Jacobs said. "As we know from the dating world, you have to say your apology and shut up."

Sean Avery

Sometimes an apology is not enough, as tarnished National Hockey League star Sean Avery discovered after he referred to his ex-girlfriend, actress Elisha Cuthbert, as "sloppy seconds" for another NHL player whom she is now dating.

"I should not have made those comments, and I recognize that they were inappropriate," Avery said in a statement the day after he made the off-color quip at a press conference. "It was a bad attempt to build excitement for the game, but I am now acutely aware of how hurtful my actions were."

Apparently, the hurt ran deep. After a six-day suspension, Avery was axed from the Dallas Stars Monday and checked into a 10-day treatment program.

"People in sports used to be allowed to not be so polished," Cole said. "I'm sure they wish those days would come back.

"Part of good manners is you shouldn't talk about people," Cole added. "Even in comedy, it can get you in trouble."

Raffaello Follieri

Actress Anne Hathaway's swindling ex-boyfriend Raffaello Follieri offered a courtroom apology just before he was led to jail in October on federal fraud charges.

In an emotional statement made in Italian inside the courtroom, Follieri said, "I have dishonored my family name, and I have embarrassed the church that I love. I will never be able to wash away the stain, and I will have to live with it for the rest of my life."

And, in a reference possibly aimed at Hathaway, he added, "I just hope that someday, those who have been hurt by my action will one day forgive me."

"It happens all the time -- you did something wrong and you want people to forgive you," Cole said. "That is you wanting to be absolved for your error."

In Follieri's case, what's even better than an apology is his promise to pay back $3.6 million that he conned out of others.