Current:Home > FinanceWhoopi Goldberg asks for 'a little grace' for Janet Jackson after Kamala Harris comments -Quantum Growth Learning
Whoopi Goldberg asks for 'a little grace' for Janet Jackson after Kamala Harris comments
View
Date:2025-04-17 21:51:52
Whoopi Goldberg is offering a mea culpa for her friend Janet Jackson after the pop icon stirred controversy with her recent remarks on Vice President Kamala Harris.
During an interview with The Guardian published Saturday, Jackson cast doubt on Harris’ biracial identity when asked about the prospect of the U.S. having its "first female Black president," alleging that Harris is not Black.
The Democratic presidential nominee’s father, Donald Harris, is from Jamaica, while her late mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was Indian. Jackson claimed in the interview that Donald Harris was "discovered" to be white.
Jackson's comments quickly led to backlash online. Goldberg, who co-starred with Jackson in the 2010 Tyler Perry drama "For Colored Girls," addressed the fallout during a panel discussion on "The View" Monday.
"Sometimes people get it wrong and they’re wrong! They made a mistake; they were wrong. It happens," Goldberg said, adding that Jackson is not a "political animal."
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
"Anybody who says it doesn't happen to every one of us, multiracial or not, we all do it. So OK, a little grace for the girl. A little grace for the girl," Goldberg said.
Haven't you heard?! Sign up for USA TODAY's Everyone's Talking newsletter for all the internet buzz.
Janet Jackson's comments:Singer didn't authorize apology for remarks about Kamala Harris, reps say
Ana Navarro says Janet Jackson 'spread misinformation'
However, Goldberg's co-host, political commentator Ana Navarro, wasn't so quick to let bygones be bygones.
"Look, I think Janet Jackson — like every other American, whether you're a celebrity or not — has a right to endorse, support or not support whomever they want," Navarro said. "She's got every right to not like Kamala Harris if she doesn't want to. What she did was spread misinformation.
"And I think it's very irresponsible, when you have a platform the way Janet Jackson does, to use that platform carelessly to spread misinformation based on a racist allegation by Donald Trump."
Jackson's remarks on Harris' race echo those of former President Donald Trump. During a July appearance at the National Association of Black Journalists convention, the Republican presidential nominee said he "didn't know (Harris) was Black until a number of years ago when she happened to turn Black."
Tito Jackson dies:Brother of Michael and Janet Jackson was 70 years old
Janet Jackson's apology for Kamala Harris comments was unauthorized, reps say
Shortly after the publication of Jackson's comments, an apology was issued on the singer's behalf to Buzzfeed by Mo Elmasri, an Egyptian filmmaker who has allegedly worked as a creative consultant for Jackson.
Elmasri, who claimed to be Jackson's manager, reportedly told the outlet that the popstar's remarks on Harris' racial identity were "based on misinformation."
Jackson's current manager is her brother, Randy Jackson, representatives for Jackson confirmed to USA TODAY on Sunday. Elmasri was not authorized to make the statement to Buzzfeed, the singer's reps added, nor has he ever worked on Jackson's team.
Janet Jackson's family tree:Singer says she's related to Stevie Wonder, Samuel L. Jackson
USA TODAY has reached out to Randy Jackson for comment.
Elmasri is listed as an executive producer on the upcoming TV documentary series "Janet Jackson: Family First," which is currently in production, according to Elmasri's IMDb page.
veryGood! (52)
Related
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman
- VP Harris to address US Air Force Academy graduates
- South Carolina’s Supreme Court will soon have no Black justices
- The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding
- Storms leave widespread outages across Texas, cleanup continues after deadly weekend across U.S.
- Israel says it’s taken control of key area of Gaza’s border with Egypt awash in smuggling tunnels
- Iga Swiatek saves a match point and comes back to beat Naomi Osaka at the French Open
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Joe Jonas Seemingly References Sophie Turner Breakup on New Song
Ranking
- Meet first time Grammy nominee Charley Crockett
- Bravo's Ladies of London Turns 10: Caroline Stanbury Reveals Which Costars She's Still Close With
- Lawsuit alleges racial harassment at a Maine company that makes COVID-19 swabs
- Researchers find a tiny organism has the power to reduce a persistent greenhouse gas in farm fields
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Seattle police chief dismissed from top job amid discrimination, harassment lawsuits
- From electric vehicles to deciding what to cook for dinner, John Podesta faces climate challenges
- Alligator still missing nearly a week after disappearing at Missouri middle school
Recommendation
As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
Building explosion kills bank employee and injures 7 others in Youngstown, Ohio
Planned Parenthood asks judge to expand health exception to Indiana abortion ban
Charges reduced against 3 facing prosecution in man’s death during admission to psychiatric hosptial
Sonya Massey's father decries possible release of former deputy charged with her death
Elon Musk offers Tesla investors factory tours to bolster $56B pay package votes
Elon Musk offers Tesla investors factory tours to bolster $56B pay package votes
New Orleans mystery: Human skull padlocked to a dumbbell is pulled out of water by a fisherman