Liza Soberano apologizes for comments on ‘black face’

MANILA, Philippines — Actress Liza Soberano has apologized for her comments on “black face” after a photo of her channeling Spice Girls Mel B. in an advertisement gained criticism online.

“Before everything gets out of hand I would like to apologize for those affected by my comments about the whole ‘black face’ issue. It wasn’t my intention to mock anyone of any culture or ethnicity,” Soberano wrote Monday in a Twitter post.

Before everything gets out of hand I would like to apologize for those affected by my comments about the whole “black face” issue. It wasn’t of my intention to mock anyone of any culture or ethnicity.

— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) September 16, 2019

The apology came after a netizen claimed Soberano was supposedly doing a black face, but the latter said, in defense, it was just a “costume.”

“What the, she did black face?!” a netizen commented on Soberano’s Instagram photo to which the actress replied, “This is not any form of black face. It’s a costume just like how any other person would dress up if they were portraying a famous character. In this case, it’s Mel B.”

[Netizen accuses Liza of doing black face 1]

Screenshot from @lizasoberano on Instagram

“I think you don’t understand the context of black face. A lot of women have afro’s it doesn’t specifically belong to one ethnicity,” Soberano said in a separate comment.

[Netizen accuses Liza of doing black face 2]

Screenshot from @lizasoberano on Instagram

But Soberano acknowledged the issue was sensitive and vowed she will try to educate herself more on the matter.

“I understand that this is a sensitive topic and that I should’ve kept my mouth shut. [From] now on I will try to be more educated about matters like this to make sure I don’t make careless mistakes like this again in the future,” Soberano said.

I understand that this is a sensitive topic and that I should’ve kept my mouth shut. For now on I will try to be more educated about matters like this to make sure I don’t make careless mistakes like this again in the future.

— Liza Soberano (@lizasoberano) September 16, 2019

Soberano admitted she is still learning on the topic of cultural appropriation and expressed thanks for those who are helping her in doing so.

“Cultural appropriation is an issue that is deep rooted in society which I am still educating myself on. I’ve read your comments and tweets and I honestly do understand where this backlash has come from,” she said.

“I am thankful to everyone educating me in the comments,” she added. /muf