When a special-edition cover of Elle U.K. featuring Grammy-winning producer Pharrell started to make the rounds, the Internet wondered: Did he really think it was a good idea to "dress up" in a Native American headdress?

Now, looking back, Pharrell doesn't think it was. The super-producer issued a formal apology on Wednesday (June 4), just as the cover started generating serious backlash on Twitter and as the hashtag #notHappy -- a spin on his chart-topping hit -- went viral.

"I respect and honour every kind of race, background and culture,” he said in a statement to Buzzfeed. “I am genuinely sorry."

According to India Country Today Media Network, the original post on Elle's website read, “We persuaded ELLE Style Award winner Pharrell to trade his Vivienne Westwood mountie hat for a native American feather headdress in his best ever shoot.”

They have now updated it to read, “Continuing our tradition of featuring cult male icons on collector’s edition covers we persuaded ELLE Style Award winner Pharrell to collaborate with us on his best ever shoot.”