Jimmy Kimmel’s Blackface Controversy Resurfaces Ahead of 2023 Oscars

This is no drill – Hollywood’s biggest night is just around the corner! While many moviegoers are currently gearing up to cheer on their favorite artists at the 95th Academy Awards, others are intent on destroying host Jimmy Kimmel’s reputation.

Before hosting the 2023 awards ceremony, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! The star and executive producer is facing intense scrutiny on social media. You may be wondering, “Why? What happened?” Well, several old clips of the comedian, who is outspoken about his political views, have resurfaced online in which he performs in blackface. If you expect him to apologize , don’t bother – Jimmy Kimmel has been down this road before. Keep reading for all the known details.

In June 2020, the late-night host and producer issued an apology and announced he would be taking the summer off amid a blackface controversy, after several old videos surfaced on social media. of Jimmy using racial slurs in a music video and impersonating various black celebrities via blackface on The man show.

“I have long hesitated to address this issue because I knew it would be celebrated as a victory by those who equate apologies with weakness and encourage leaders who use prejudice to divide us,” he said in a statement, per CNN. “This delay was a mistake. There is nothing more important to me than your respect, and I apologize to those who were truly hurt or offended by the makeup I wore or the words I said. pronounced.

Jimmy explained, “On KROQ radio in the mid-90s, I did a recurring impression of NBA player Karl Malone,” adding that he “continued to impersonate Malone on TV” at the end. from the 90s.

“We hired make-up artists to make me look as much like Karl Malone as possible,” added the comedian. “I never considered that it could be considered anything other than an imitation of another human being, an imitation that had no more to do with the color of Karl’s skin than with his bulging muscles and his bald head.”

The award-winning host continued, “I’ve done dozens of famous people’s impressions including Snoop Dogg, Oprah, Eminem, Dick Vitale, Rosie and many more. In each case, I considered them to be celebrity impersonations and nothing more.

“Looking back, many of these sketches are embarrassing, and it’s frustrating that those thoughtless moments have become a weapon used by some to diminish my criticism of social and other injustices,” Jimmy said.