Did Janet Jackson Apologize for Speculating on Kamala Harris’s Race?
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Updated
6:07 P.M.
Did Janet Jackson Apologize for Speculating on Kamala Harris’s Race?
By
Alejandra Gularte,
a Vulture news blogger who covers TV and comedy
Photo: Marc Piasecki/WireImage
Janet Jackson should check the news a little more often. In a recent interview, the singer said she’d heard Vice President Kamala Harris wasn’t Black. Then an apology came from Jackson’s team …or did it?
September 21, 2024: In an interview with The Guardian, Janet Jackson tells writer Nosheen Iqbal that she “was told” that presidential candidate and current vice president Kamala Harris isn’t Black, despite the statement being clearly false. “Well, you know what they supposedly said?” Jackson tells the reporter. “She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.” The reporter pushes back, telling Jackson that Harris has dual heritage. She further explains it is documented that Harris’ father is Donald J. Harris, a well-known Jamaican economist who works at Stanford. Jackson continues, “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.” Vulture has reached out to Jackson’s reps for further comment.
As for the election as a whole, Jackson isn’t feeling too optimistic. She later tells The Guardian, “Honestly, I don’t want to answer that because I really, truthfully, don’t know. I think either way it goes is going to be mayhem,” when asked if she thought America would be ready for Kamala Harris if she were to be elected president. Maybe one of Jackson’s friends can check in on her, preferably with fact-checked news sources. Beyoncé, are you free?
September 22, 2024: Well this got even stranger. Early Sunday, an apology came from someone claiming to represent Janet Jackson. Mo Elmasri, who claimed to be Jackson’s manager, issued a statement claiming the comments were “based on misinformation.” Speaking to Buzzfeed, Elmasri said “She deeply respects Vice President Kamala Harris and her accomplishments as a Black and Indian woman. Janet apologizes for any confusion caused and acknowledges the importance of accurate representation in public discourse.”
Straightforward damage control, no? No! Jackson’s real reps went to TMZ and said Elmasri has “absolutely no connection to her.” Her manager is reportedly her brother, Randy. A wise woman (Oprah) once asked “So what is the truth?” We won’t know until we hear it directly from a Jackson, apparently.
Did Janet Jackson Apologize for Kamala Harris Comments?
