Yahoo Finance Billie Eilish Apologises For Mouthing Along To Anti-Asian Slur In Resurfaced Video
Billie Eilish has said she is 'appalled and embarrassed' after an old video showing her mouthing along to an Anti-Asian racial slur was edited into a viral video.
In the clip, the Grammy winner is seen mouthing along to the song 'Fish' by Tyler The Creator which contains the slur. The clip has been edited alongside some other footage showing Eilish speaking in a 'gibberish' voice.
Addressing the clip on her Instagram Stories, after reportedly being asked to do so by her fans, the 19-year-old wrote a lengthy apology, explaining that she was '13 or 14' when she mouthed the word and 'at the time I didn't know was a derogatory term used against members of the Asian community'.
'I am appalled and embarrassed and want to barf that I ever mouthed along to that word. This song was the only time I'd ever heard that word as it was never used around me by anyone in my family,' the singer and songwriter wrote.
'Regardless of my ignorance and age at the time, nothing excuses the fact that it was hurtful and for that I am sorry.'
Eilish then clarified that the clip had been edited with the other footage of her speaking 'in a silly, gibberish made up voice... something I started doing as a kid and have done my whole life when talking to my pets, friends and family' and is not 'an imitation of anyone or any language, accent or culture in the SLIGHTEST'.
'It absolutely breaks my heart that it is being labelled now in a way that might cause pain to people hearing it. I not only believe in, but have always worked hard to use my platform to fight for inclusion, kindness, tolerance, equity and equality,' Eilish concluded before thanking fans for reading her message.
The singer's statement comes at a time when there is growing concern over the rise in Anti-Asian hate, which has been exacerbated by the Coronavirus pandemic, leading stars like Sandra Oh and Gemma Chan to vocalise their support for campaigns to support and uplift the Asian community.
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