Janet Jackson is distancing herself from an apology made on her behalf to Vice President Kamala Harris.
According to a report in Variety, the Jackson family is saying that the man who sent reporters a statement that apologized for the singer’s remarks about the Democratic presidential nominee’s ethnicity is not her spokesman.
Mo Elmasri said he has been dismissed by the singer.
“I no longer work for her. I was fired by Janet and Randy [Jackson], after attempts to improve her image in front of public opinion and her fans, and this is something I do not deserve,” Mr. Elmasri said in an email to Variety.
Citing “sources close to [Ms. Jackson’s] team,” Variety reported that Mr. Elmasri “is not known to have been directly associated with the singer.”
It’s not clear what position he had held with Ms. Jackson or her family, from which he could be “fired” as he claimed, if he wasn’t her spokesman.
The 58-year-old superstar, known for such hits as “When I Think of You” and “Miss You Much,” began the furor past week when asked by The Guardian about the possibility of America picking a Black woman to be president for the first time.
But Ms. Jackson responded by saying “she’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian. Her father’s white. That’s what I was told.”
Ms. Harris’ mother is indeed Indian, and Ms. Harris has emphasized that part of her background on some occasions.
Her father, though is from Jamaica and, like the vast majority of people on that Caribbean island, is of African descent, not White.
After Ms. Jackson made that statement, Mr. Elmasri issued a statement on Ms. Jackson’s behalf, which the family now says was unauthorized.
“Janet apologises for any confusion caused and acknowledges the importance of accurate representation in public discourse,” the statement read. “We appreciate the opportunity to address this and will remain committed to promoting unity.”
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.