Staff Reports
Janet Jackson has jumped into the political fray, and just like a poorly executed wardrobe malfunction, it seems the fallout isn’t going away anytime soon. The pop star recently found herself in hot water after making some eyebrow-raising comments about Vice President Kamala Harris, suggesting that the Veep might not be as “Black” as she claims. This led to a flurry of controversy, especially when Jackson’s spokesman tried to backtrack on her bold statements with an “unauthorized” apology. It would appear that their team didn’t quite agree on how to handle the situation, leading to an unexpected firing.
Mo Elmasri, Jackson’s now ex-spokesman, confirmed the breakup, claiming that Janet and her brother Randy were not seeing eye to eye with him after an interview she did with the Guardian. Perhaps Janet should have stuck to her music, where the only apologies needed involve heartfelt ballads and emotional lyrics—not potentially career-ending political comments. Elmasri faced an avalanche of calls from supporters demanding he backtrack on Jackson’s remarks, but he found himself losing his job instead. It’s likely hard to maintain a career in the pop world when your client has decided that she doesn’t want any amigos involved in her drama.
Maga loving Janet Jackson’s Kamala Harris Apology Didn’t Come From Her at All.
Janet Jackson’s ‘Rep’: I Was Fired Over Kamala Harris Apology. pic.twitter.com/bJRG9dtprS— James Hughes (@JamesHu29812484) September 23, 2024
Last week, Janet made headlines when she mused about the Vice President’s racial identity, claiming to have heard that Harris is actually of Indian descent with a white father. This revelation, while certainly spicy, eerily echoed comments made by former President Donald Trump, who infamously remarked that he “didn’t know she was Black” until years later. The overlap between Jackson’s comments and Trump’s raises eyebrows, hinting that this isn’t just a simple case of mistaken identity, but perhaps a reflection of the ongoing struggle over racial identity in America.
Nonetheless, after realizing she may have stirred the political pot just a smidge too vigorously, Janet Jackson’s team jumped into damage control mode, attempting to clarify her previous statements by emphasizing respect for Harris’s heritage. This prompted a roundabout apology, which many can see as nothing more than a careful retreat in the face of backlash. Janet wants to promote unity and understanding, but let’s be real: it’s tough to do that while your foot is still firmly lodged in your mouth.
As the saga unfolds, the discussion surrounding Harris’s racial identity continues to mirror contentious debates from the past, including those surrounding former President Obama. The racial questions surrounding these figures show that identity politics remains a hot-button topic. Some Republicans are encouraging Trump to focus on Harris’s policies rather than her roots. Ironically, all of this comes at a time when pop stars should be focused on their upcoming albums, not getting caught up in politics—unless of course, they’re auditioning for a role in the latest political circus.
