Janet said in an interview that she heard Kamala Harris is “not Black.”

Janet Jackson is facing criticism for questioning Vice President Kamala Harris’s race.

Janet Jackson in a stylish, tailored suit with an elaborate updo hairstyle, standing in front of an ornate building
Janet was being interviewed by the Guardian when she was asked about her position on the upcoming election, with the interviewer noting that “America could be on the verge of voting in its first Black female president.”

Kamala Harris stands behind a podium, addressing an audience with two American flags in the background

“Well, you know what they supposedly said?” Janet replied. “She’s not Black. That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.”
Janet Jackson stands at a podium with a Grammy logo, wearing a stylish leather jacket and a headwrap, speaking into a microphone
When the interviewer responded that Kamala is both, Janet incorrectly said, “Her father’s white. That’s what I was told. I mean, I haven’t watched the news in a few days. I was told that they discovered her father was white.”
Janet Jackson, dressed in a plaid coat, top, and a statement necklace made of many layered rings, smiles for the camera
Kamala was born to a Black father and an Asian mother. Though she’s said she and her sister were raised as “two Black women,” former president Donald Trump and right-wing conspiracy theorists have continued to spread falsehoods about her racial identity.

After repeating that Kamala is of dual heritage, the interviewer asked Janet whether she thinks America is prepared to see her in office. “I don’t know,” she said, whispering. “Honestly, I don’t want to answer that because I really, truthfully, don’t know. I think either way it goes is going to be mayhem.”
Kamala Harris smiling, wearing a blazer and pearl earrings, holding a microphone
Online, the reaction to her remarks was strong and swift, with many readers calling them “ignorant,” “irresponsible,” and hugely “disappointing.”

“Janet Jackson sounded an absolute fool in that interview and I am very disappointed,” one tweet read.

“Janet Jackson is one of the most influential people in music history. It was simply irresponsible of her to repeat something she ‘heard’ regarding the very thing that they use against Kamala! Her own race,” read another post. “We are less than 50 days away from the election. We gotta talk smarter!”

Another person had no words except to say they found the remarks “foolish and super ignorant.”
Amid the backlash, BuzzFeed spoke to Mo Elmasri, a man who claimed to be her manager and is a credited producer on her upcoming documentary. He has given statements about Janet in the past. In a statement to BuzzFeed, Mo said Janet’s remarks were “based on misinformation” and said she apologized for “any confusion caused.” However, reps have since told Variety that Janet did not authorize him to make the statement. When reached by Variety for comment, Mo clarified, “I no longer work for her. I was fired by Janet and Randy, after attempts to improve her image in front of public opinion and her fans, and this is something I do not deserve.”