Malaysian Singer Apologizes For Using Brownface To Tout Fair Skin In Music Video
Image via Shutterstock
A Malaysian singer has landed in hot water for showing brownface in his latest music video.
The video, titled White Doll, was made in collaboration between singer Choo Hao Ren and a skincare brand. It showed a female student whose skin had become darker after walking to school every day. The ethnically Chinese actress’s face and body had been slathered in brown makeup to darken her appearance.
The controversial video showed the girl getting bullied by her classmates due to her complexion. The bullying stopped after she wore a whitening beauty product gifted by her secret admirer, played by Choo.
The singer had remained adamant that the controversy was caused by “misunderstandings,” questioning if it was “inappropriate” for a fair-skinned model to darken her entire body with makeup.
“In Malaysia, a country with strong sunlight, is it really inappropriate to do tanned makeup on an actor to present a plot about being sunburnt?” he asked. “Even though the story ends up showing unconditional love from the boy towards the tanned-skin girl?”
“I want to listen to everyone’s opinions, and welcome everyone to give your valuable opinions,” Choo added.
Reactions to the music video have been divided. One YouTube user wrote, “This is racism taken to another level,” while another said, “What a stupid advertisement! Dark-skinned people have won the Miss Universe and Miss World Crowns many times. Skin color is not a measurement of beauty!” Others, however, offered words of encouragement and appreciation to the singer.
Choo shared a follow-up video on his Instagram, which included an apology and the explanation of the plot. Choo claimed many viewers had “ignored” his intentions behind the storyline and explained that he never meant to stir up any racial issues with the song.
He concluded that the music video would be re-edited to remove any offensive imagery.
[via Mashable SEA, cover image via Shutterstock]
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