Janet Jackson’s management says an unauthorized person spoke on the singer’s behalf in a previously released apology for comments she made about Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ background.
Representatives for Jackson, 58, said Variety that the widely reported statement came from someone other than the Grammy-winning artist’s manager.
According to the outlet, a person who identified himself as Mo Elmasri said “apparently incorrectly” Source: BuzzFeed He was the singer’s representative in his mea culpa for his statements about the vice president.
The statement read: ‘Janet Jackson would like to clarify her recent comments. She acknowledges that her statements regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity were based on misinformation.
She continued: ‘Janet respects Harris’ dual heritage as Black and Indian and apologizes for any confusion caused.
Janet Jackson’s, 58, management agency says an unauthorized person spoke on the singer’s behalf in a previously released apology about Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ background. Jackson pictured in New York in February
Jackson caused a stir on social media when he told The Guardian about his controversial views on the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate
“She values the diversity that Harris represents and understands the importance of celebrating it in today’s society. Janet remains committed to promoting unity and understanding.”
The Gary, Indiana-born entertainer has been managed by her brother Randy for years, Variety reported, adding that the family was “unavailable for comment” as they mourn the death of Tito Jackson on Sept. 15.
A iMDb Biography Elmasri says he is an Egyptian filmmaker who runs 24 East Agency, a consulting agency. He claims that Elmasri “now works as a creative consultant for many global superstars including Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Selena Gomez.”
Elmasri’s credits on the website include executive producer of Janet Jackson: Family First; as well as “uncredited” roles as creative director on 2019’s Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw and intern assistant director on 2019’s John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum.
Jackson, 58, caused a stir on social media when she confessed her controversial views on the 2024 Democratic presidential candidate. The Guardian.
She said, ‘Well, you know what they supposedly said? She’s not black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.’
“His father is white. That’s what they told me. I mean, I haven’t watched the news for a few days. They told me they found out his father was white.”
Responding to a whirlwind of criticism and disappointment over the pop star’s comments, which are similar to those made by 2024 Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, her manager issued a statement. Source: BuzzFeed.
Donald Trump said Harris “turned black” while discussing her race with black journalists in July, and the former president has since stepped up his efforts.
Harris is the son of Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian cancer researcher, and Donald Harris, a black economics professor from Jamaica (pictured together in the 1960s).
The statement attributed to Elmasri did not go down well with everyone.
One X user posted: ‘Janet Jackson sounded like a complete fool in that interview and I’m so disappointed. We’re less than 50 days away from the election. We need to speak smarter!’
Another user posted on X: ‘Janet Jackson is one of the most influential people in music history. It was just irresponsible of her to repeat something she “heard” about being used against Kamala. Her own race.’
Harris, 59, was born in 1964, the son of Dr. Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian-born cancer researcher, and Donald J. Harris, a black economics professor from Jamaica.
The couple married in 1963 and separated in 1971, after welcoming Kamala and her younger sister Maya, 57.
Gopalan died of cancer in 2009 at age 70, while Donald Harris, 86, is now professor emeritus of economics at Stanford University after retiring in 1998.
Jackson’s late brother Michael faced controversy over his skin after it changed color from black to white throughout his career. He attributed the condition to a medical condition called vitiligo and denied bleaching his skin.
Trump claimed Harris “turned black” while speaking at a National Association of Black Journalists convention in Chicago in July.
He said: ‘She was always of Indian descent and was just promoting Indian heritage.
‘I didn’t know she was black until a few years ago, when she became black, and now she wants to be known as black.
-So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she black?
“I respect either of them, but she obviously doesn’t, because she was Indian through and through and suddenly she turned around and became a black person. I think someone should look into that as well.”
Days later, Harris downplayed the comments and accused Trump of “putting on the same old show of division and disrespect.”
He added: “The American people deserve better.”
The vice president has yet to comment on Jackson’s remarks about his race.
Trump’s comments about Harris’s race outraged many conservatives; even his own supporters said they were upset with the former president for not focusing on attacks on Harris’s policies.
Trump is pictured at the National Association of Black Journalists event in Chicago in July, where he made the comments about Harris’ race.
Earlier this month, Trump appeared to double down on his comments about Harris’s race.
“I don’t care what she is. I don’t care. Whatever she wants to be is fine with me.”
Polls show the race between Trump and Harris remains very close ahead of Election Day on Tuesday, November 5.