Justin Bieber apologizes for telling racist joke

NEW YORK -- Justin Bieber is apologizing for telling a racist joke - including the N-word.

The joke-telling is in a video recorded five years ago - and just now being made public by the British tabloid, The Sun.

In the video, a then-15-year-old Bieber tells a joke about blacks that includes the N-word as a punchline. Before he utters the punchline, someone warns him not to, but he says it anyway - as those around him laugh.

In a statement yesterday to The Associated Press, Bieber said he didn't realize how certain words could hurt. He also says he takes his "friendships with people of all cultures very seriously" - and that he's sorry for what he calls his "childish and inexcusable behavior."