Oops…she did it. Or did she?
Is Britney Spears racist towards Latinos?
This past Thursday when Spears was interviewed by a Latino show to discuss her album Britney Jean and upcoming two-year stint at Plant Hollywood in Las Vegas starting on December 27th her responses has caused some to raise their eyebrows.
Over this weekend after the Pop Princess appeared on Univision’s Despierta America some are questioning whether some of the singer’s answers were racially offense or just goofy.
Although the interview consisted of her asking typical questions regarding who were inspirations, the interview became interesting when the interviewer Luis Sandoval asked Spears several questions that brought out some cringe worthy responses from the Hit Me Baby One More Time and Oops I Did It Again singer.
When asked what was her favorite aspect of Latino culture is since she lived in Los Angeles–which has a predominantly Latino community–Spears replied, “I think it’s very sexy. I’ve always like Latino men. They make me think of a bad-boy type that your father wouldn’t let you go out with.”
The comment Spears made regarding Latin men as being a fathers’ worst nightmare was the first of several other possible faux pas responses.
When Sandoval followed-up the question asking the singer who would be her perfect man she responded with a utterly bad Latino accent claiming her preferred type are, “Just like you,” addressing Sandoval.
As the interview came to an end, Sandoval asked Spears one last question regarding if she spoke any Spanish. And not exactly answering him, somewhat, Spears replied with a two second, high-pitched, tongue-rolling, gibberish response imitating someone speaking Spanish.
So was Spears generalization, attempt at masking a Latin accent, and imitating a generally fast spoken language intentionally racist or a simple, playful gaffe committed by the typically shy and awkward singer?
Well, to some Spears was offensive.
According to The Gloss, while they do not expect the singer to be “all culturally-sensitive, but I mean, she’s an adult woman. She should know not to rely on tropes like ‘Latin men are sexy and spicy!’ when talking to a television channel geared towards Latinos,” pointing out the generalization Spears made about Latino men.
Blogger Perez Hilton–surprisingly–also expressed shock by Spears‘ comments stating, “Aye dios mio, chica – what are you saying? We realize the hot-blooded Latino male is a super prevalent stereotype, but you can’t judge people based on their ethnicity! Or skin color, sexual orientation, nationality, language.”
But not everyone is damning the Pop singer for her comments.
Meanwhile some people via Twitter are expressing the curiosity behind the attention Spears is attracting for her comments.
User beyoncestan_2013 @jordaniqua tweeted: “@Cosmopolitan: Britney Spears makes off-color remarks about Latinos: http://cosm.ag/6012dEma ” LMFAOOOO YALL ARE SO POLITICALLY CORRECT”
While user Sanja Knez @Sanja_Knez replied to the controversy with: “Why is Britney Spears calling Latino guys hot being considered racist? #idontunderstand.”
Despite the reaction part of the interview generated, Spears concluded the interview with Despierta America by addressing her Latino fans with a heartfelt message and giving the Sandoval a hug while posing in a picture with him.
Watch the video here to see whether or not Spears comments were intentional racially insensitive or plain goofy: click here!
