An apology thought to be from singer Janet Jackson following a comment repeating misinformation about Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity wasn’t actually made by her or authorized by her team.
Representatives confirmed to NBC News on Monday that the statement, made to BuzzFeed over the weekend by a man named Mo Elmasri, was not authorized. Elmasri claimed to be Jackson’s manager, but representatives for the singer said her brother, Randy Jackson, is her only manager.
The controversy began Saturday when Jackson’s interview with The Guardian was published, where the “Feedback” singer made an erroneous claim about Harris. Jackson told the interviewer that she “heard” Harris was Indian not Black.
Jackson continued to push what she had “heard” despite the interviewer explaining Harris’ father was a Black man.
“[Harris’] father’s white,” Jackson is quoted as saying. “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.”
This is not true. Harris was born to a Jamaican father and Indian mother.
Jackson was hit with a wave of backlash for the remark online, where some described the singer as “simply irresponsible” for spreading misinformation. Others were less kind, calling Jackson “stupid” and that sounded like an “absolute fool.”
A day after the interview was released, BuzzFeed published remarks from Elmasri believed to have been made on Jackson’s behalf. He told the outlet that Jackson’s remarks were “based on misinformation” and that the singer apologized for any confusion.
“Janet respects Harris’ dual heritage as both Black and Indian and apologizes for any confusion caused,” his statement said.
Elmasri now tells Variety that he was fired as Jackson’s representative because of disagreements over the singer’s comments.
“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,” Elmasri said in an email to Variety.
Elmasri did not immediately respond to a request for comment from NBC News.
Harris’ mixed-race identity has been a point of attack from Donald Trump after Harris jumped into this year’s presidential election, following President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek a new term.
Trump said that he had never known Harris to be anything other than Indian during an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists in July.
“I did not 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,” Trump said.
He then suggested “somebody should look into that.” Trump repeated the attack while on stage with Harris at the Sept. 10 presidential debate.
Harris has touted her Black heritage for decades and attended Howard University, a private and historically Black institution. She was also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first historically Black sorority in the United States.
During her time in the Senate, Harris also served as a member on the Congressional Black Caucus.
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