An “apology” attributed to Janet Jackson after she claimed that Democratic US presidential candidate Kamala Harris is not Black was reportedly not authorised by the singer.
The singer, 58, whose Jackson Five brother Tito died aged 70 last week, made the shocking comments about Ms Harris, 59, when asked how she felt about the US potentially having its first female Black president.
The singer claimed: “She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian. Her father’s white. That’s what I was told.”
Jackson then admitted she hadn’t “watched the news in a few days” but was told somebody had “discovered” Ms Harris’ father “was white”.
Her remarks echoed a false claim made by Ms Harris’s White House rival Donald Trump, who claimed in July that the current Vice President “happened to turn Black” a few years ago, saying that “all of a sudden, she made a turn” in her identity.
Ms Harris was born to Indian cancer researcher Shyamala Gopalan and Donald Harris, a Black economics professor from Jamaica.
Hours after Jackson’s comments were published in an interview with The Guardian, a statement sent to Buzzfeed by Mo Elmasri, apparently claiming to be her manager, said she apologised for her remarks.
Mr Elmasri’s statement, which was reported by multiple news outlets, said: “She deeply respects Vice President Kamala Harris and her accomplishments as a Black and Indian woman.
“Janet apologises 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.”
It has since been reported that Mr Elmasri no longer works with Jackson, the apology was not authorised and that she is now managed by her brother Randy.
Mr Elmasri told Variety: “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.”
The Standard has contacted Jackson’s representatives for comment.
Five-time Grammy Award winner Jackson is due to kick off the European leg of her world tour in Paris on September 25 at Accor Arena.
She will take in multiple stops in the UK, including two nights at the London O2 Arena on September 28 and 29, with special guest Wyclef Jean, before heading to Germany and Belgium and concluding in Amsterdam on October 10.
An insider told The Standard: “The setlist is incredible! Any die hard Janet fan would be pleased and of course, there are plenty of the hits everybody wants to hear too.”
That includes tracks from Jackson’s iconic fourth studio album Rhythm Nation 1814 and features some of her biggest chart-topping hits, including Miss You Much, Black Cat, and Love Will Never Do (Without You).
