James Franco apologizes for Instagram flirtation

In this Aug. 31, 2013 file photo, actor and director James Franco poses for photographers on the red carpet for the screening of the film “Child Of God” at the 70th edition of the Venice Film Festival in Venice, Italy. Franco has apologized for his Instagram flirtation with a 17-year-old. On the morning talk show “Live With Kelly and Michael,” Franco said Friday, April 4, 2014, that he used “bad judgment” and “learned my lesson.” (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, File)

NEW YORK – James Franco has apologized for his Instagram flirtation with a 17-year-old.

On the morning talk show “Live With Kelly and Michael,” Franco said Friday that he used “bad judgment” and “learned my lesson.”

The 35-year-old actor and filmmaker was caught trying to pick up a Scottish teenage girl named Lucy Clode on the photo-sharing app.

Franco said Friday that he was embarrassed and that he’s “a model of how social media is tricky.” He said the awkward process of meeting someone was made “doubly” embarrassing since it was in the public spotlight because of his celebrity.

Franco is currently starring in a revival of “Of Mice and Men” on Broadway.