Billie Eilish apologises for mouthing along to Anti-Asian slur

Singer was called out for 'mocking' Asian and Black accents in her past videos

After apparently mocking Asian and Black accents in her past videos, Billie Eilish is apologising to her fans.

The 19-year-old issued a statement via her Instagram Stories on Monday, saying she was "appalled and embarrassed" for mouthing along to an anti-Asian slur from Tyler the Creator's 2011 song Fish.

"I love you guys, and many of you have been asking me to address this. And this is something I WANT to address because I'm being labeled something that I am not," her post began. "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 know was a derogatory term used against members of the Asian community,” she assured. “I am appalled and embarrassed and want to barf that I ever mouthed along to that word,” said the now grown-up.

Eilish explained that outside of the track, the slur "was 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 singer also addressed the remaining clip, as commenters have accused her of mocking Asian and Black accents. Eilish denied making fun of others, claiming she was "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.”

She reassured that her mumbling was “in no way an imitation of anyone or any language, accent, or culture in the slightest. Anyone who knows me has seen me goofing around with voices my whole life,"

Elaborating on her intentions, she reinstated that irrespective of how her actions were interpreted, she did not mean to 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." In a longer version of the clip that sees Eilish speak in a different voice, her older brother Finneas can be heard asking, "Hey Billie why are you speaking with an accent?"

The Your Power singer concluded her apology by writing, "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."

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