Janet Jackson 'apology' NOT issued by her team
Janet Jackson's statement apologising for her comments about Kamala Harris' racial background was made by someone who was not authorised to speak on her behalf.
Janet Jackson's statement apologising for her comments about Kamala Harris' racial background was made by someone who was not the singer's manager.
The 58-year-old star caused a stir over the weekend when she questioned the Vice President's heritage, which was then followed by a message acknowledging her comments were wrong and "based on misinformation".
However, Janet's representative has now stressed that Mo Elmasri, who issued the statement, isn't the 'Together Again' hitmaker's manager as it is her brother Randy who looks after her career, and the man wasn't authorised to speak on the singer's behalf.
Variety then got in touch with Mo, who claimed he had been "fired" by the Jackson siblings.
He told the outlet in an email: "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 also offered "all my support" to the presidential hopeful.
Sources told Variety the man is "not known to have been directly associated with the singer".
Janet had made her controversial comments when asked about the possibility of a black female US president.
She told The Guardian newspaper: Janet replied: “Well, you know what they supposedly said? She’s not black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.”
When told she has an Indian mother and Jamaican father, she insisted: "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.”
Following a backlash, several outlets reported an apology had been issued by her team.
It stated: “Janet Jackson acknowledges that her recent comments about Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity were based on misinformation. She extends her sincerest apologies for any confusion caused and reaffirms her respect for Harris’ dual heritage as both Black and Indian."
“Janet remains committed to fostering unity, inclusion, and understanding and is grateful for the opportunity to clarify her stance.
“She will continue to use her platform to support leaders who represent diversity and progress.”
Kamala’s US presidential election rival Donald Trump, 78, previously sparked outrage when he made false claims about Harris' race at the National Association of Black Journalists convention in July, saying she “became a Black person”.
He said: “She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting the Indian heritage.
“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. So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she black?”
