Da’Vinchi has been making a name for himself in the entertainment industry, appearing in projects like ‘All American,’ ‘BMF,’ and most recently, Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married Again?’
He recently sat down with Cam Newton for an interview, where his comments about Americans sparked backlash. Now, the actor is walking back his comments and clearing up his initial message.
RELATED: KWN Issues An Apology As She Faces Backlash For Joking About Keke Palmer Being Her Celebrity Crush (VIDEOS)
Da’Vinchi Sits Down With Cam Newton And Sparks Debate Over His Comments About Americans
Earlier this month, Da’Vinchi went viral after sitting down with Cam Newton on his ‘Funky Friday’ podcast. During the interview, they discussed several topics, including Da’Vinchi’s acting career, relationships, and challenges in Hollywood. They also spoke about the American work ethic, parenting, technology, and the difference between efficiency and laziness.
Stay Connected
Subscribe to updates from The Shade Room
However, a clip from their conversation began to make the rounds on social media after Da’Vinchi shared his thoughts about Americans. The Haitian-American actor reflected on his upbringing and shared how he learned to care for himself at a young age.
“I had work ethic. I was determined. I could take care of myself, like, fully, at, like, 8 years old. But in America, no shade to you guys, the way the culture has moved, majority of the citizens is like, you’re just incompetent for a really long time,” he said.
Cam Newton then questioned whether Da’Vinchi believed this was a cultural issue or a personal one.
“I think this country promotes that. I don’t think it promotes us to think critically or want to be hard workers or think outside of the box, right? America has such a lack of exposure,” Da’Vinchi responded.
Cam also mentioned how America prioritizes efficiency and finding easier ways to complete tasks. Da’Vinchi argued that children suffer as a result, becoming incompetent. His comments sparked mixed reactions online. While some agreed with his perspective, others criticized his remarks.
After the clip went viral, one commenter shared their own childhood experience while responding to the actor’s statements:
“This black American was ironing, washing clothes, hanging clothes on the line (IYKYK lol), making my own food BEFORE 1st grade. My grandma did not play.”
Ultimately, Da’Vinchi responded, “that’s great!!!”
Da’Vinchi Clears Up His Initial Comments Following Backlash During ‘The Breakfast Club’ Interview
On October 27, Da’Vinchi appeared on ‘The Breakfast Club,’ where he addressed the backlash surrounding his earlier comments about Americans. During the conversation, Charlamagne tha God asked whether he believed Black Americans were using slavery as an excuse for their circumstances.
Da’Vinchi responded, “No, because that’s legitimately the reason we’re here today.”
He later clarified his initial message, admitting he could have chosen different words.
“And I definitely understand how it could feel like hearing something like that. So that’s why, again, just to be clear now, I was never, and I used a harsh word. I should have said a different word. And when I was speaking about that, what you just said, I was speaking about the nation as a whole,” he explained.
Charlamagne also questioned Da’Vinchi about his earlier remarks suggesting Black Americans should move past slavery.
The actor clarified that he was speaking about the resilience of Black people and their ability to overcome challenges.
“Every Black person around the world, we’re going through things left and right because the transatlantic slave trade was so massive. But we have to have that. Like everyone around me, all my mentors, they’re like, ‘Yo, bro, that’s going to happen. You got to move forward. Just because you didn’t get the job, and they gave it away, you got to move forward.’ Like, I can’t live in that space,” he explained.
He also apologized for how his comments may have come across, explaining that he was speaking about resilience. “So, forgive me if my thinking was in a way that was, like, offensive, but it’s like, that’s the resilience that I try to tap into,” he added.
Social Media Reacts
Folks gathered in The Shade Room’s comment section to react to Da’Vinchi’s explanation. While some were supportive of his apology, others felt he still stood by his original comments.
Instagram user @sunflower_beee wrote, “He didn’t apologize 😂😂 he just made what he said clearer. He meant everything.”
Instagram user @its_just_shar777 added, “He said ‘no shade to you guys’ like he wasn’t born in America too that’s still where I’m stuck at like what he mean you guys?”
While Instagram user @acappellaevangelist wrote, “He isn’t sorry lol, he said how he feels despite benefiting from the same culture/ people he speaks down on”
Instagram user @damn.myk wrote, “I hear him. I don’t think he said nothing wrong. The mindset is different, I love America but being born into a immigrant family even I know a lot of foreigners believe this about America, Maybe lazy wasn’t the right word but for lack of a better word yeah”
Instagram user @tempting_tiff added, “Unpopular opinion: He’s not lying. If you travel abroad you will see it. Children are much more self sufficient younger.”
While Instagram user @itsletaysia wrote, “was I the only one that understood what he meant the first time he just worded it wrong?”
Instagram user @golden_beauty22 wrote, “Nahhh don’t say sorry now. We tired of showing yall how much motion we got 😂 yall never learn”
Instagram user @lilmissocialworker added, “He apologized for how he articulated it, but he meant it. Lol😂”
While Instagram user @misswanababii wrote, “I wouldn’t be apologizing to NOBODY! Y’all kill me with the fake outrage! Bye!!!”
