Janet Jackson apologized on Sunday for recent comments she made about Vice President Kamala Harris, but the apology was reportedly not authorized.
In an interview Guardian On Saturday, the 58-year-old singer was asked what she thought about the possibility of Harris becoming the first Black woman president.
“Well, you know what they said,” Jackson said, “she's not black. What I heard is she's Indian.”
When the interviewer asserted that Harris is both black and Indian, Jackson continued, “Her father is white. That's what I've been told. I mean, I haven't watched the news in a few days. I've been told that I found out her father is white.”
Janet Jackson told the Guardian that she's “heard” that Vice President Kamala Harris is not black. (KMazur/WireImage)
Black Pennsylvania voter claims Kamala Harris isn't black in CNN video: 'It's a no-no for me'
BuzzFeed reported that Jackson's manager, Mo Elmasri, statement He said Sunday that his comments were “based on misinformation” and not his actual thoughts about Harris.
“She has deep respect for Vice President Kamala Harris and her achievements as a Black, Indian woman,” the statement said. “Janet apologizes for any confusion and recognizes the importance of accuracy in public discourse.”
“We appreciate the opportunity to address this issue and remain committed to promoting unity,” the statement concluded.
However, other reports have disputed Elmarsi's statements, claiming that he does not manage Harris, who is instead managed by his brother, Randy Jackson. Reported“Following Sunday's chaotic events, a representative for Janet Jackson told Variety that the unusually worded 'apology' for the singer's ignorant remarks about the racial background of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris was made by someone who is not the singer's manager and who was not authorized to speak on her behalf.”
According to IMBD, Elmarci has worked as a “creative consultant” to Jackson, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Selena Gomez, and is listed as a producer on the TV series “Janet Jackson: Family First.”
Jackson made the remarks about Harris in an interview with the Guardian on Saturday. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images | Photo by Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)
In her interview with The Guardian, Jackson also weighed in on whether she thinks the country is ready for a “woman of color” president.
“I don't know,” Jackson said. “I don't want to answer that question because, honestly, I really don't know. I think it's going to be chaos either way.”
“I think there could be chaos,” she continued. “We'll just have to wait and see what happens.”
MSNBC's Joy Reid says it would 'look really weird' if Black people don't vote for Kamala Harris
Jackson's original comments came months after former President Donald Trump made controversial comments at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), where he said Harris had changed her racial background during a question-and-answer event.
Former President Trump accused Harris of changing her race for political purposes. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)
“She's always just been Indian and promoted as being Indian,” Trump said. “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 if she's Indian or black.”
Trump's comments were widely criticised, with White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre calling his comments “nasty” and “offensive”.
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Editor's note: This story has been updated following reports that an earlier statement had not been approved by Jackson's team.
Lindsay Kornick is deputy editor for Fox News Digital. Send your story tips to lindsay.kornick@fox.com or on Twitter: @lmkornick.
Janet Jackson reportedly not walking back comments about Kamala Harris not being Black
Janet Jackson apologized on Sunday for recent comments she made about Vice President Kamala Harris, but the apology was reportedly not authorized.
In an interview Guardian On Saturday, the 58-year-old singer was asked what she thought about the possibility of Harris becoming the first Black woman president.
“Well, you know what they said,” Jackson said, “she's not black. What I heard is she's Indian.”
When the interviewer asserted that Harris is both black and Indian, Jackson continued, “Her father is white. That's what I've been told. I mean, I haven't watched the news in a few days. I've been told that I found out her father is white.”
Janet Jackson told the Guardian that she's “heard” that Vice President Kamala Harris is not black. (KMazur/WireImage)
Black Pennsylvania voter claims Kamala Harris isn't black in CNN video: 'It's a no-no for me'
BuzzFeed reported that Jackson's manager, Mo Elmasri, statement He said Sunday that his comments were “based on misinformation” and not his actual thoughts about Harris.
“She has deep respect for Vice President Kamala Harris and her achievements as a Black, Indian woman,” the statement said. “Janet apologizes for any confusion and recognizes the importance of accuracy in public discourse.”
“We appreciate the opportunity to address this issue and remain committed to promoting unity,” the statement concluded.
However, other reports have disputed Elmarsi's statements, claiming that he does not manage Harris, who is instead managed by his brother, Randy Jackson. Reported“Following Sunday's chaotic events, a representative for Janet Jackson told Variety that the unusually worded 'apology' for the singer's ignorant remarks about the racial background of Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris was made by someone who is not the singer's manager and who was not authorized to speak on her behalf.”
According to IMBD, Elmarci has worked as a “creative consultant” to Jackson, Beyoncé, Britney Spears and Selena Gomez, and is listed as a producer on the TV series “Janet Jackson: Family First.”
Jackson made the remarks about Harris in an interview with the Guardian on Saturday. (Photo by Gilbert Flores/WWD via Getty Images | Photo by Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)
In her interview with The Guardian, Jackson also weighed in on whether she thinks the country is ready for a “woman of color” president.
“I don't know,” Jackson said. “I don't want to answer that question because, honestly, I really don't know. I think it's going to be chaos either way.”
“I think there could be chaos,” she continued. “We'll just have to wait and see what happens.”
MSNBC's Joy Reid says it would 'look really weird' if Black people don't vote for Kamala Harris
Jackson's original comments came months after former President Donald Trump made controversial comments at the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), where he said Harris had changed her racial background during a question-and-answer event.
Former President Trump accused Harris of changing her race for political purposes. (AP Photo/Jacqueline Martin)
“She's always just been Indian and promoted as being Indian,” Trump said. “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 if she's Indian or black.”
Trump's comments were widely criticised, with White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre calling his comments “nasty” and “offensive”.
Click here to get the FOX News app
Editor's note: This story has been updated following reports that an earlier statement had not been approved by Jackson's team.
Lindsay Kornick is deputy editor for Fox News Digital. Send your story tips to lindsay.kornick@fox.com or on Twitter: @lmkornick.
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