Billie Eilish shared a lengthy apology on her Instagram Story, saying that she is “appalled and embarrassed” by the video clip that appeared to show the singer mocking an Asian accent and using the ethnic slur, “c—k,” referring to someone of Chinese descent.
On Monday (June 21st) night she wrote, “There’s a video edit going around of me when I was 13 or 14 where I mouthed a word from a song that at the time I didn’t now 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.”
Eilish explained, “This song was the only time I’d ever heard that word as it as never used around me by anyone in my family. Regardless of my ignorance and age at the time nothing excuses the fact that it was hurtful. And for that I am sorry.
“The other video in that edited clip is me 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. It is absolute gibberish and just me goofing around and is in NO way an imitation of anyone or any language, accent or culture in the SLIGHTEST.”
The singer concluded, “Regardless of how it was interpreted I did not mean for any of my actions to have caused hurt to others and it absolutely breaks my heart that it is being labeled 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. We all need to continue having conversations, listening and learning. I hear you and I love you. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”
