Oh Yeezus. Just no. All the nos in the world.
We reported earlier how Kim Kardashian stormed out of the Viennese State Opera House after a man in blackface pretending to be her fiancée Kanye West approached her.
Now it comes out that it was Austrian news reporter Chris Stephan that ruined her evening with the insensitive gesture.
Apparently Chris came to the ball with the express purpose of finding Kim, and even posted a selfie of himself with a picture of her with “My Woman” sprawled across it in German before heading to the Opera House.
Ew. Just gross.
In a recent interview, Chris claimed he had done nothing wrong:
├óΓé¼┼ôI was nice and gentle! [Kim’s date] Richard Lugner called me and said ├óΓé¼╦£Kim wants to see her man, Chris do something.├óΓé¼Γäó I even got dressed just for that and got into the Opera free because of it. Thanks Richie!…I├óΓé¼Γäóm really sorry that the story has gotten so messed up and misunderstood. I myself am Arab, born in Austria! I didn├óΓé¼Γäót want this act to be in any way racist, and I├óΓé¼Γäóm sorry again for anyone who felt attacked!├óΓé¼┬¥
So, wait…Kim’s date that evening Richard Lugner, who recently and publicly called her “annoying,” is the reason this all happened? He has NO right to complain!
We think that any use of blackface is racist no matter the context, given the horrible historical connotations of its use in the past. Perhaps Chris was ignorant of its racist origins in minstrel shows, but it still is no excuse.
According to a recent report, however, it appears that it was ANOTHER guest who asked Kim to dance to N*ggas in Vienna, not Chris. But seriously, what the heck is going on in Vienna?
Meanwhile, Chris’ employers Puls4 have shamelessly defended his use of blackface:
“Like every year, Chris Stephan prepared a costume for the Opera Ball. Last year he went as Silvio Berlusconi. To get an interview with Kim Kardashian, this year he dressed as Kanye West. Painting his face dark for that was part of the costume and not an act of racism. Also, he didn├óΓé¼Γäót in any way have any intention of insulting Miss Kardashian. Puls4 and also Chris Stephan want to apologize for this misunderstanding.├óΓé¼┬¥
We’re sorry but race is not a costume that can be painted on, and blackface is definitely an act of racism. End of story.
[Image via MediaPunch.]
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