Latest news with #racialslur
The Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
John Torode sacked by BBC after being accused of using N-word while singing along to Kanye West song Gold Digger
MASTERCHEF presenter John Torode was sacked by the BBC for allegedly using the N-word twice. The Sun understands he repeated lyrics from rapper Kanye West's hit Gold Digger, which contain the racial slur, at an after-work gathering six or seven years ago. 4 4 Torode, 59, is said to have used the word again while chatting to a pal on the BBC show's production team. Richard Osman, ex-host on BBC quiz show Pointless, said Torode had used 'the worst racial slur' and the allegations were 'watertight'. Torode, who vehemently denies ever using the N-word, is 'utterly devastated' by the accusations. He was sacked this week after an investigation by the Beeb and production company Banijay. Torode allegedly used the word a second time when speaking to a member of the production team — who was a friend and did not take offence. The person who raised the complaint on that occasion is understood to have overheard the conversation And his production pal reckoned Torode only used the slur as an 'example' and 'apologised afterwards'. Those close to Torode said he vehemently denies ever using the N-word, whether in song lyrics or otherwise. But Richard Osman, host of BBC quiz show House of Games, weighed into the row and said he believed the allegations against Torode were 'watertight'. A source said: 'John is in a pretty bad way — he's feeling very fragile. 'He's utterly devastated and just wants to clear his name.' Aussie-born Torode was only spoken to by a representative from legal firm Lewis Silkin at the end of June as part of the inquiry into his MasterChef co-host Gregg Wallace. A source added: 'One of the allegations is that he said the N-word while repeating Kanye's Gold Digger song during a gathering with his colleagues when filming had ended. 'John is adamant he would never have used the N-word and only knows the radio version of the song which says, 'Now I ain't sayin' she a gold digger, but she ain't messin' with no broke, broke'. The clean version of the song is the only one he knows. 'The person who raised the complaint didn't say anything at the time. So John only found out a few weeks ago that this issue had been raised. 'This has hit him like a ton of bricks as he does not recall it. 'And he insists he would never have repeated the N-word in those lyrics because he only knows the radio edit of that song.' Of the second allegation, a source close to Torode said he did not recall using the N-word. The source added: 'John is adamant he would never use this word while speaking to anyone. 'The person he is alleged to have said this to didn't complain, it was someone who overheard it. 'In fact he was close to the person he is supposed to have said it to and they got on very well while working together. 'Even the person who John was supposedly having the overheard conversation with said he had mentioned the word in reference and apologised straight away. 'But John has said he cannot recall the conversation and he would never use the N-word. He knows it is unacceptable and says he would never have said it. 'During his meeting John was in disbelief because he insisted he would never have used that word.' 4 Those close to Torode also criticised the BBC's handling of his departure, with his representatives only being made aware his contract wasn't being renewed after the BBC press office released a statement. A source added: 'John is devastated by all of this. 'He is being supported by his wife Lisa and his friends — they're keeping him close because he has really been struggling. 'John abhors this kind of language and does not recall ever reciting a racist slur in a lyric, or directing one to someone he considered a friend at work. 'He adored MasterChef. It was a huge part of his life. To have it all ending like this is awful.' Torode's celeb friends have also publicly spoken out on his behalf. Piers Morgan tweeted: 'Salem wants its witch trials back.' And media personality Christine Hamilton, a Celebrity MasterChef finalist, said: 'John Torode is one of the nicest, kindest guys I've ever met. His sacking by the vile BBC is deeply unjust and shows how deeply entrenched is their wokeism.' Richard Osman, former host of BBC quiz show Pointless, said on his podcast yesterday: 'He used, I think, probably the worst racial slur there is and they found that to be substantively true. 'They found evidence they were happy with. He said that he couldn't remember it. But that one was upheld.' Both Pointless and House of Games are part of Banijay UK's portfolio of shows. A spokesman for Banijay declined to comment. Wallace, 60, was officially sacked this week by the BBC and Banijay after an independent investigation was carried out into allegations of bad behaviour on the show between 2005 and 2024. A total of 45 out of 83 allegations against him were upheld. The majority were inappropriate sexual language, although one related to unwanted touching. The Sun revealed yesterday that the final series of MasterChef, with Wallace and Torode as hosts, will air 'once the dust has settled'. 4
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cierra Ortega's 'Love Island' apology, cancel culture and why Gen Z has a big problem
Gen Z has taken over the newest season of 'Love Island USA' − and it's causing some major problems. Cierra Ortega, a 25-year-old content creator, has left the villa due to 'personal' situation, days after past social media posts surfaced online that showed her using a racial slur. On July 9, she issued an apology for having used the "incredibly offensive and derogatory term." Ortega isn't the first Season 7 Islander to be removed from the villa following controversy. Another contestant, Yulissa Escobar was abruptly ousted from the villa on just the second day, after clips of her using a racial slur on a podcast resurfaced. She later apologized, saying at the time she didn't fully understand "the weight, history or pain behind it.' There's no excuse for using a racial slur — and it's important to recognize the hurt it inflicts among the affected communities. But two Islanders being ousted in one season begs the question: Are those 'digital footprints' teachers and parents warned of finally coming back to haunt Gen Z? How online sleuths impact reality TV The open secret of reality TV is that the producers control the narrative. Conversations are cut down, some couples are poised to be the favorites, while other contestants get pigeonholeed as the villain. However, as we dive deeper into surveillance culture in the digital age, producers are met with an inability to control that narrative online. When conflict arises, producers can't simply limit a contestant's screen time to get the world to stop talking about them. The drama takes on a life of its own outside the villa and on social media, leading to contestants being "canceled" even while the show is airing in real-time. On 'Love Island USA' Season 7, most of the contestants are between the ages of 21-27, making them the first group of Gen Z islanders who have fully grown up in the digital age. Their entire lives have been documented on X (at the time, Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat and TikTok. In earlier seasons, producers and contestants never had to think about what could be dug up from a contestant's social media history. And if an incriminating video existed, there wasn't as big of a platform to share it on. Now, audiences are more connected than ever, and algorithmic feeds on apps like TikTok allow for widespread discourse on concentrated topics, continuously pouring gas on the flames of online drama. Because reality TV is meant to be authentic and unfiltered, 'it's much easier for people who watch it regularly to connect with these characters and start to invest in them,' explains media psychologist Pamela Rutledge. This can also lead viewers to form parasocial relationships with contestants, which according to Elizabeth Perse, a professor emeritus of communication at the University of Delaware, is the 'illusion of friendship" with a public persona. When reality stars act in a way that is offensive or seemingly out of character, audiences feel betrayed. Once contestants return home, the attention can be overwhelming, especially when it turns hostile. 'Even though contestants don't know the commenters on social media personally, the relentless and pointed attacks can feel very personal,' trauma and relationship therapist Jordan Pickell previously told USA TODAY. 'Human brains aren't equipped to distinguish between real-life risks to safety and online attacks.' In case you missed it: People can't stop talking about Huda on 'Love Island.' Will we ever learn our lesson? Ortega's departure sheds light on Asian hate Experts say referring to "cancel culture" as "accountability culture" could help hold people accountable for their wrongdoings — allowing room for growth while still enduring the consequences of their actions. Ortega appeared to use a slur, which refers to people of Asian descent, to describe her eyes in a 2015 Instagram caption. Another Instagram story using the slur circulated via an unverified screenshot, which appeared to be as recent as 2023, according to People. Many Asian Americans have taken this controversy as an opportunity to educate people about the history of the slur and why it is hurtful to Asian communities. 'Anytime you say these horrible things like Cierra did on her (Instagram story), it really does hurt,' one TikTok content creator said. 'Cierra from 'Love Island' got Botox to make her eyes look less like my eyes,' said another in a video with 8M views. 'Imagine being in a world where you're looking at media and you don't see people with your eye shape, and instead you're seeing people get surgery to alter your eye shape.' Belle-A Walker, a contestant who was dumped earlier this season, unfollowed Ortega on Instagram and commended 'Love Island USA' producers for "taking a stand.' 'Asian hate is oftentimes overlooked and dismissed. But being a first-generation American, I have personally witnessed and experienced how real and hurtful comments like these are,' Walker shared via an Instagram story on July 7. 'It is my hope that this situation can help shed light on how big of an issue anti-Asian hate really is.' Can cancel culture go too far? On July 7, fellow ousted contestant Escobar posted a TikTok expressing concern for Ortega's mental health. 'I'm not justifying what I did, I know what I did and what I said was wrong, and I know what Cierra said was wrong,' Escobar said. 'Looking at those messages I was getting, I was honestly scared to come home,' she continued. 'I was like, is something going to happen to me? Is someone going to do something to me? Because it was just a lot to take in, and even my family was worried.' In a statement posted by Ortega's family to her Instagram story on July 6, the family asked that people allow her to take accountability, saying that the 'attacks on her family, her friends, even her supporters' were 'heartbreaking' and 'uncalled for.' As to where the show can go from here? Maybe take viewers' advice and cast some 'regular people,' not influencers, on the show next season. Contributing: David Oliver, Taijuan Moorman This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cierra 'Love Island' apology and reality TV's cancel culture problem Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Liam Gallagher makes a cryptic reference to his now-deleted social media post during Heaton Park show after sparking outrage over racial slur
Liam Gallagher made a cryptic reference to his now-deleted social media post as he spoke on stage during Oasis' second night at Heaton Park on Saturday. The singer, 52, sparked outrage earlier this month when he shared a racial slur to X, which he later apologised for. Famously outspoken and controversial, Liam left many of his Asian fans hurt and offended, after sharing derogatory phrase 'chingchong'. The slur is a derogatory imitation of the Chinese language and is used mock or denigrate people of East Asian descent. Seemingly referring to the incident in front of the sold-out 80,000 strong crowd in Manchester, Liam explained that he had burnt his eyelids. He then added: 'Gotta wear the shades tonight, didn't wear them last night, woke up this morning like a grasshopper? You're allowed to say grasshopper, right?' Liam appeared to tweet the phrase two weeks ago, responding to critics by claiming: 'it's an ancient thought process get on it.' He later responded to one fan warning him he'd be cancelled by saying: 'Whatever'. But he seemed to have learned the error of his ways after deleting the original tweet and taking to X once again to apologise and insist his use of the slur wasn't 'intentional'. Liam wrote: 'Sorry if I offended anyone with my tweet before it wasn't intentional you know I love you all and I do not discriminate. peace and love LG x'. However, the damage was done for many, with some less than impressed by his apology and calling his behaviour 'disappointing'. They took to social media to say: 'My friend once went to Liam Gallagher's Knebworth gig alone, and got assaulted by racists. It was never just a wrong word. It sounds okay to you because you've never been scared by people calling you racist slurs. Grown ups should know it's never right to defend racism'. 'Why are so many white people defending Liam Gallagher and saying he did nothing wrong?? Just because he sang your favourite songs doesn't mean you can excuse blatant racism.' 'Who would have thought in 2025 at the ripe age of 52 Liam Gallagher would still consider casual racism as being edgy.' But he seemed to have learned the error of his ways, after deleting the original tweet and taking to X once again to apologise and insist his use of the slur wasn't 'intentional' Liam and Noel were hand-in-hand as they kicked off the first of their five-night stint at Heaton Park on Friday. Oasis performed in front of a sold-out 80,000 strong crowd in their home city of Manchester after beginning their world tour in Cardiff last week. The shows at Heaton Park - a 600-acre public park in Bury and Manchester - are the only UK shows held outside a stadium, with the others taking place at the Principality Stadium, Wembley and Murrayfield. Oasis opened their set with Hello from their 1995 second album (What's the Story) Morning Glory?, before playing Acquiesce. Fans were treated to Morning Glory, Some Might Say, Cigarettes and Alcohol, and Supersonic before Noel's acoustic set. Other songs included D'You Know What I Mean, Cast No Shadow, Stand By Me, Whatever and Rock N Roll Star. Oasis ended the night on Champagne Supernova with fireworks being set off from the stage.
CNN
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘Love Island USA's' Cierra Ortega addresses her exit from the show
Cierra Ortega, whose recent dramatic exit from the popular reality series 'Love Island USA' caused a stir, has broken her silence. Viewers have been searching for answers after her exit a week before the dating show's Season 7 finale, which the series attributed to a 'personal situation.' There was no further explanation, but social media posts from 2015 and 2023 had circulated online that appeared to show Ortega using a racial slur, according to reporting by the Daily Mail. Ortega posted a video on social media on Wednesday and said had time to 'process' what happened and made clear that she was not 'the victim.' 'While I was in the villa, there were some posts that resurfaced from my past where I was very naively using an incredibly offensive and derogatory term,' she said. 'Before I get into the details, I want to first start by addressing not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community.' Ortega said she was 'deeply, truly, honestly so sorry.' 'I had no idea that the word held as much pain, as much harm and came with the history that it did or I never would have used it,' she said. 'I had no ill intention when I was using it, but that's absolutely no excuse because intent doesn't excuse ignorance.' A post shared by ♡ 𝖈𝖎𝖊𝖗𝖗𝖆 𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖌𝖆 ♡ (@ The 25-year-old said hers wasn't an 'apology video,' but one of accountability and reiterated that she 'genuinely didn't know it was a slur.' Ortega also posted a statement in her Instagram Stories, writing, 'I do not, and have never, condoned racism or the repression of any cultural group in any form.' 'I would never intentionally use any word, especially a slur, to tear down anyone's culture or community,' she wrote. She also referenced having been 'called out for it in 2024,' explaining she was corrected by a follower after using the slur in an Instagram post, which Ortega said left her feeling 'embarrassed.' The Season 7 finale of 'Love Island USA' will air Sunday, July 13 on NBC.
CNN
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
‘Love Island USA's' Cierra Ortega addresses her exit from the show
Cierra Ortega, whose recent dramatic exit from the popular reality series 'Love Island USA' caused a stir, has broken her silence. Viewers have been searching for answers after her exit a week before the dating show's Season 7 finale, which the series attributed to a 'personal situation.' There was no further explanation, but social media posts from 2015 and 2023 had circulated online that appeared to show Ortega using a racial slur, according to reporting by the Daily Mail. Ortega posted a video on social media on Wednesday and said had time to 'process' what happened and made clear that she was not 'the victim.' 'While I was in the villa, there were some posts that resurfaced from my past where I was very naively using an incredibly offensive and derogatory term,' she said. 'Before I get into the details, I want to first start by addressing not just anyone that I have hurt or deeply offended, but most importantly, the entire Asian community.' Ortega said she was 'deeply, truly, honestly so sorry.' 'I had no idea that the word held as much pain, as much harm and came with the history that it did or I never would have used it,' she said. 'I had no ill intention when I was using it, but that's absolutely no excuse because intent doesn't excuse ignorance.' A post shared by ♡ 𝖈𝖎𝖊𝖗𝖗𝖆 𝖔𝖗𝖙𝖊𝖌𝖆 ♡ (@ The 25-year-old said hers wasn't an 'apology video,' but one of accountability and reiterated that she 'genuinely didn't know it was a slur.' Ortega also posted a statement in her Instagram Stories, writing, 'I do not, and have never, condoned racism or the repression of any cultural group in any form.' 'I would never intentionally use any word, especially a slur, to tear down anyone's culture or community,' she wrote. She also referenced having been 'called out for it in 2024,' explaining she was corrected by a follower after using the slur in an Instagram post, which Ortega said left her feeling 'embarrassed.' The Season 7 finale of 'Love Island USA' will air Sunday, July 13 on NBC.
