Billie Eilish apologizes for racial slur in resurfaced video | CBC News

In one clip, she can be seen mouthing the slur while lip-syncing along to Tyler, The Creator’s 2011 song, Fish. In her statement, Eilish said that at the time she didn’t know that the word “was a derogatory term used against members of the Asian community.”

“I am appalled and embarrassed and want to barf that I ever mouthed along to that word,” said Eilish, now 19.

“This song was the only time I’d ever heard that word as it was never used around me by anyone in my family. Regardless of my ignorance and age at the time, nothing excuses the fact is that it was hurtful. And for that I am sorry.”

The compilation video shared on TikTok this month also showed another clip of what it claimed was Eilish “mocking Asians.”

In her statement, Eilish said she was speaking in a “silly gibberish made up voice,” something she said she had done since childhood when talking to “pets, friends and family.”

“It … is in no way an imitation of anyone or any language, accent, or culture in the slightest,” she said.

“Anyone who knows me has seen me goofing around with voices my whole life. Regardless of how it was interpreted I did not mean for any of my actions to have caused hurt to others.”

Following a spate of attacks on Asian Americans since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. President Joe Biden last month signed into law the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act.

“I’m being labelled something that I am not,” Eilish said, adding that she was addressing the video clip after fans had asked her to respond.

“I … have always worked hard to use my platform to fight for inclusion, kindness, tolerance, equity and equality.”