‘It was devastating’: Normani breaks her silence on Camila Cabello’s old racist posts
Normani Kordei has finally broken her silence about her former Fifth Harmony band member.
Speaking to Rolling Stone for its cover story, the singer was asked about Camila Cabello being called out for old racist Tumblr posts that were unearthed by an Internet sleuth back late last year.
She later Tweeted an apology: “When I was younger, I used language that I’m deeply ashamed of and will regret forever. I was uneducated and ignorant and once I became aware of the history and the weight and the true meaning behind this horrible and hurtful language, I was deeply embarrassed I ever used it.”
While the Atlanta native didn’t address the matter in the actual article, she reportedly wrote a follow-up email to the magazine after she processing her thoughts.
“I struggled with talking about this because I didn’t want it to be a part of my narrative, but I am a black woman, who is a part of an entire generation that has a similar story,” the 23 year old told the publication. “I face senseless attacks daily, as does the rest of my community.”
The artist went on to say that she was hurt by the “scenario” involving the “Havana” singer, who was born in Cuba and raised in Miami.
“It was devastating that this came from a place that was supposed to be a safe haven and a sisterhood, because I knew that if the tables were turned I would defend each of them in a single heartbeat.”
Normani went on to criticize the time it took for Cabello to respond.
“It took days for her to acknowledge what I was dealing with online and then years for her to take responsibility for the offensive tweets that recently resurfaced. Whether or not it was her intention, this made me feel like I was second to the relationship that she had with her fans.”
Camillo apologized for using the “horrible and hurtful language” when she was a teen back in 2012 and has seemingly moved on. Though some have speculated that her career took a hit, and her “Romance” tour tickets aren’t selling well due to the scandal.
Normani feels there is a lesson to be learned from all of this.
“I hope there is genuine understanding about why this was absolutely unacceptable,” she said. “I have spoken what is in my heart and pray this is transparent enough that I never have to speak on it again.”
This story was originally published February 28, 2020 at 3:12 PM.
