Janet Jackson Apologizes to Kamala Harris, Blames ‘Misinformation’ for Comments

Janet Jackson apologized for her comments in an interview that published Saturday where the singer questioned whether Vice President Kamala Harris was Black, saying her controversial remarks were “based on misinformation,” per a statement provided to Buzzfeed.

In The Guardian interview, when asked about the prospect of having the first-ever Black and female president after Election Day, Jackson said of Harris, “Well, you know what they supposedly said? She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.”

Jackson added that, “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.” (Harris’ father, Donald J. Harris, is Black, was born in Browns Town, Jamaica, and and grew up in Jamaica.)

The singer’s comments — Jackson also predicted “mayhem” after Election Day regardless of the winner — sparked instantaneous uproar on social media, where fans questioned who the “they” is that has been telling Jackson erroneous information, as well as the singer’s uninformed opinion about candidate.

In a statement Sunday to Buzzfeed, Mo Elmasri, who was identified as Jackson’s manager in the article, said the singer was sorry about her Guardian comments — which were made “based on misinformation” — while adding that Jackson now acknowledges that Harris is of Black and Indian descent. (Janet Jackson’s manager is her brother Randy Jackson, reps confirmed to Rolling Stone, who added that Elmasri is not authorized to make a statement for Janet Jackson, nor speak on her behalf.)

“[Jackson] deeply respects Vice President Kamala Harris and her accomplishments as a Black and Indian woman,” Elmasri’s statement said. “Janet apologizes for any confusion caused and acknowledges the importance of accurate representation in public discourse.”
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Elmasri added: “We appreciate the opportunity to address this and will remain committed to promoting unity.”

This post was updated on Sept. 22 at 6:52 p.m. ET to reflect that Janet Jackson’s manager is Randy Jackson and not Mo Elmasri.