...
By Shannon Power
Pop Culture & Entertainment Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
An apology that seemed to be from Janet Jackson over comments she made about Kamala Harris's identity was allegedly sent from an unauthorized source.
The "Rhythm Nation" singer made headlines over comments about the ethnicity of the Democratic Party's presidential nominee in an interview with British newspaper The Guardian.
"Well, you know what they supposedly said?" Jackson said to reporter Nosheen Iqbal when she was asked about the prospect of the U.S having its first female Black president. "She's not Black. That's what I heard. That she's Indian."
Read More on Entertainment
After Iqbal explained Harris was both Black and Indian, Jackson added, "Her father's white. That's what I was told. I mean, I haven't watched the news in a few days. I was told that they discovered her father was white."
...
On Sunday, following backlash over the comments, Buzzfeed published an apology that seemed to be from Jackson's representatives. The statement was attributed to Mo Elmasri who claimed to be her manager. According to the publication, he had previously made comments to the media on behalf of Jackson.
"She deeply respects Vice President Kamala Harris and her accomplishments as a Black and Indian woman," the so-called apology read.
"Janet apologizes for any confusion caused and acknowledges the importance of accurate representation in public discourse. We appreciate the opportunity to address this and will remain committed to promoting unity."
However, Variety reported later that Jackson was managed by her brother Randy and had been for many years. It also reported that they declined to comment on the fiasco because they were mourning the passing of their brother Tito who died on September 15.
Newsweek contacted Jackson's representatives by email and Elmasri by email outside of office hours on Monday morning.
Elmasri is credited on IMDB as a producer on Jackson's docuseries Family First which follows the singer as she and Randy put together her 2023 tour.
He told Variety that he was terminated by the Jacksons.
"I no longer work for her. I was fired by Janet and Randy, after attempts to improve her image in front of public opinion and her fans, and this is something I do not deserve," he said.
Harris's racial identity has been a talking point since she declared her intention to run for the White House after President Joe Biden stepped down from the race in July. If elected, Harris would be the first Black American woman and the first South Asian American to be U.S. president.
Harris's mother Shyamala Gopalan, was born in southern India and died in 2009. Her father, Donald J. Harris, a Black man born in Jamaica, is an economist and Stanford University professor emeritus.
The vice president's race came into the spotlight in July after former President Donald Trump caused outrage when he questioned her Black identity during a panel interview at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention.
"I didn't know she was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black, and now she wants to be known as Black. I respect either one, but she obviously doesn't because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn, and she became a Black person," he said at the time to much derision.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines