Janet Jackson made a shocking remark claiming that Vice President Kamala Harris is not black, a sentiment that seems to echo the assertions of her political rival, former President Donald Trump.
After making the remark in an interview that went viral on Sunday, the situation got even more bizarre when the singer allegedly made an apology for the commentary – only to retract it the same day.
The scandal began when Jackson, 58, made the observation during an interview with The Guardian, when the outlet asked what she thought about Harris potentially becoming the country’s first Black female president.
“Well, you know what they supposedly said?” the “That’s the Way Love Goes” singer responded. “She’s not black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.”
All Janet Jackson needs to know is Kamala Harris is blacker than Michael’s children. pic.twitter.com/mQZShZosnO
— raveen marie 🫶🏾 (@xoraveen) September 21, 2024
“Well, she’s both…” the interviewer replied.
“Her father’s white,” Jackson claimed. “That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days. I was told that they discovered her father was white.”
Harris’ mother, who died in 2009, was Indian-born cancer researcher and her father is a black economics professor that hails from Jamaica.
Janet Jackson every time she sees Kamala Harris. pic.twitter.com/FOauA7ZL21
— anoceangoddess (@Anoceangoddesss) September 21, 2024
The “Rhythm Nation” singer was roasted for making the uniformed remarks by social media critics.
“All Janet Jackson needs to know is Kamala Harris is blacker than Michael’s children,” one person tweeted.
“That family should not be saying ANYTHING about skin color!!” Another added.
“Janet Jackson is one of the most influential people in music history. It was simply irresponsible of her to repeat something she “heard” regarding the very thing that they use against Kamala!” Someone else scolded.
The “Together Again” singer’s remarks about Harris’ race were compared to one of the most criticized claims Trump has made since the vice president took the campaign over from President Biden.
Trump said Harris “happened to turn black” while speaking at the National Association of Black Journalists’ convention in Chicago in July.
Janet Jackson said what she said. She is Black American and no one can govern who we say we are and we say is not Black American. 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/tdjRKu1XKK
— 🇺🇸Black_American_Native (@blacUS_heritage) September 22, 2024
“She was always of Indian heritage, and she was only promoting Indian heritage,” he told the audience.
“I didn’t know she was black until a number of years ago, when she happened to turn black, and now she wants to be known as black,” he added. “So I don’t know, is she Indian or is she black?”
“I respect either one, but she obviously doesn’t, because she was Indian all the way, and then all of a sudden she made a turn and she went – she became a black person,” he continued. “I think somebody should look into that too.”
In September, Trump addressed his remarks about Harris’ race during the presidential debate.
“I don’t care what she is. I don’t care,” he stated. “Whatever she wants to be is okay with me.”
TRUMP: “I don’t care what she is! I don’t care!”
“Whatever she wants to be is okay with me!” pic.twitter.com/876BxuJqg2
— Townhall.com (@townhallcom) September 11, 2024
On Sunday, Jackson’s alleged manager, Mo Elmasari, released a statement that claimed her comments were “based on misinformation.”
“Janet Jackson would like to clarify her recent comments,” the statement said according to Buzzfeed.
“She recognizes that her statements regarding Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity were based on misinformation.”
“Janet respects Harris’ dual heritage as both Black and Indian and apologizes for any confusion caused,” the statement continued.
“She values the diversity Harris represents and understands the importance of celebrating that in today’s society. Janet remains committed to promoting unity and understanding.”
However, later the same day, Jackson’s actual representatives said that Elmasari is not the singer’s manager, and was unauthorized to release a statement on her behalf.
The aging pop star’s brother Randy is her actual manager, and neither have commented about the situation, as they are reportedly grieving their loss of their 70-year-old brother, Tito, an original member of The Jackson Five, who had a heart attack and died last weekend.
Elmasari is reportedly not directly associated with Jackson, but he is listed as the executive producer of Janet Jackson: Family First,” a docuseries that follows the singer during her 2023 “Together Again” tour.
In an email to Variety, Elmasri said that he “no longer” works for Jackson after making the statement on her behalf.
“I was fired by Janet and Randy, after attempts to improve her image in front of public opinion and her fans, and this is something I do not deserve,” he complained.