Band Apologizes After Racist Asian Girlz Video Causes Uproar
The Los Angeles band Day Above Ground may want to consider hiding underground until the uproar over their new video “Asian Girlz” dies down.
The music video features the band trapped in a bird cage while Asian model Levy Tran strips down as the band sings about fried rice, “creamy yellow thighs,” and “slanted eyes.” The bandmembers all go on a date with an Asian girl and Tran eventually brings the guys into the bathtub with her, but not before more Asian stereotypes hit the screen.
PHOTOS: A Brief History of Nudity in Music Videos
Since the band released the video July 29, it’s been called racist by the likes of Gawker, The Huffington Post and Buzzfeed, which dubbed it the most racist thing you’ll see all day. A social media uproar cost the band a gig at L.A.’s House of Blues, after the venue’s Facebook page was inundated with negative comments about the video and a Change.org petition was launched.
But it could soon be time to drop the pitchforks and torches. After the uproar, the band posted a statement on the video’s YouTube page dismissing claims they are racist, and claiming they will pull the video within 48 hours.
“But we’ll leave it up until then to give anyone who cares a chance to see for themselves what it’s really about before it disappears from our channel and website forever,” the band wrote. “So just step back, take a breath, and relax.”
Earlier, they tried to calm critics by posting: “WE ARE NOT RACIST, HAHA! I mean, look at our band, it’s multicultural!! The guy in the bow-tie, our cutie bass player, was born in Indonesia, and he steals the show!! Please don’t take this tongue-in-cheek tribute to some of the most gorgeous women on the planet too seriously!! You’ll ruin the fun of it all!! Thanks for watching, sincerely!!”
PHOTOS: Hollywood’s Memorable Mea Culpas
Tran, the woman in the video, has taken to Twitter to apologize for her role in the video.
I sincerely apologize to all who feels that I set Asian women back 50 yrs. I know I lost respect from a lot of ppl. It wasn’t my intention
— Levy Tran (@MissLevy) July 31, 2013
It was meant to be light hearted and fun. Satirical. They are sweet boys and not at all racist. That is all I will say. I’m sorry once again
— Levy Tran (@MissLevy) July 31, 2013
I’m so sorry once again to anyone who was offended by the video. It wasn’t at all the intention. I truly apologize
— Levy Tran (@MissLevy) August 1, 2013
For now, the video can be seen here.
Twitter: @THRMusic
Related Stories
Related Stories
Related Stories
Related Stories
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbvLpbCwp5%2BZv6a8zqurnqpemLyue82erqxnnarAqq%2BMp5ywq1%2BXrq%2BwjJqnqKSfnLa7sdJmqZqbmajBbq3SopinZZeev63GjG5wcXBlbnw%3D