Gina Rodriguez apologises (twice) for singing the 'n' word in an Instagram video
16 October 2019, 13:12
Gina Rodriguez upset fans by using the 'n' word while singing along to the Fugees "Ready or Not".
Gina Rodriguez has apologised after a video of her singing the n-word on her Instagram Story went viral, attracting intense backlash from fans. The Jane the Virgin actress uploaded a short clip of herself singing along to The Fugees' 'Ready Or Not', including the lyric "n–ggas give me heebie-jeebies". Fans swiftly called her out for not being more mindful in her use of the word.
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On Tuesday (15 October), Gina posted the video of herself having her makeup done while singing along to the song. The clip stayed up for some time and began to do the rounds on other platforms, including Twitter, where she was widely criticised.
#GinaRodriguez has issued an apology for singing along with the n-word in a song👀 She’s also been accused of being anti-black in the past
— Power 106 (@Power106LA) October 15, 2019
Thoughts on this???🤔pic.twitter.com/4iWTzlwCpR
Many people defended the actress, though, arguing that she was merely singing the lyrics to a song. Others, however, rebuked her for saying it as a non-black person of colour.
Several hours after the original video was posted, Gina shared a video apology, explaining that she was sorry if she offended fans.
what kind of whack apology ... gina rodriguez said don’t worry guys I have the pass because i grew up on lauryn hill pic.twitter.com/EJRe8d9KaX
— a chicken on her last legs (@lNTHERAlN) October 15, 2019
She said: "Hey what's up, everybody. I just wanted to reach out and apologise. I am sorry. I am sorry if I offended anyone by singing along to The Fugees. To a song I love that I grew up on. I love Lauryn Hill and, um, I really am sorry if I offended you."
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However, not everyone was thrilled with the apology, with some calling it "half-assed" and highlighting her language, apologising "if" anyone was offended.
Later, the actress posted a longer apology on Instagram.
Gina wrote: "In a song or in real life, the words that I spoke, should not have been spoken. I grew up loving the Fugees and Lauryn Hill. I thoughtlessly sang along to the lyrics of a favorite song, and even worse, I posted it. The word I sang, carries with it a legacy of hurt and pain that I cannot even imagine. Whatever consequences I face for my actions today, none will be more hurtful than the personal remorse I feel. Watching my own video playing back at me, has shaken me to my core. It is humiliating that this has to be a public lesson but it is indeed a much deserved lesson. I feel so deeply protective and responsible to the community of color but I have let this community down. I have some serious learning and growing to do and I am deeply sorry for the pain I have caused."
Earlier this year, Gina got emotional during an interview while discussing accusations of "anti-blackness". At the time she called the criticism "devastating" and said it made her step back from social media.
