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Eiza Gonález Apologizes for Past Use of Blackface in Telenovela

Two offensive photos of González resurfaced on social media, one of them showing the actress dressed in blackface. Look at what she had to say about it!

Before rising to fame in Hollywood, Eiza González worked on several telenovelas, and this week, a couple of offensive photos resurfaced on social media, in which she appears with a blackface. For what she did in the past, the actress says she’s "ashamed."

Currently, González is among the most influential women in Mexico, and her name is on every headline because a few days ago she got caught her kissing Timothée Chalamet during a romantic trip to Cabo. And although González joined the streets of Los Angeles to protest against racism after the death of George Floyd like Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez, she is currently in the midst of controversy.

One of the photos that have sparked criticism was taken in 2007, when the actress from the series "From Dusk Till Dawn" starred in the Mexican telenovela "Lola, once upon a time." However, it was Tuesday of this week when they started to recirculate on the Internet.

The 30-year-old actress has previously apologized for the offensive images, but, in a statement sent to E! News yesterday she reiterated: "I am deeply sorry and ashamed about having worn blackface makeup shown in the images circulating. As a 15-year-old child actor on my first job in a Mexican telenovela, I was pressured against my will, and with no negotiating power, I could not advocate for myself in the situation. I wish I had the voice and knowledge then that I have now."

The Mexican actress also spoke of another photo of her in which she appears wearing Geisha's traditional outfit and makeup. "The other image in question is from a trip I made to Japan. According to my host, it is considered an intercultural exchange to dress in traditional clothes and makeup," Eiza explained in her statement to E! News. "It is seen as an appreciation of their culture, yet I understand that out of context this requires a dialogue about contemporary cultural appropriation."

On Twitter, some of Chalamet’s fans shared Eiza's controversial photos and along with harsh messages, allegedly with the intention of warning the 24-year-old actor that his "new girlfriend" was "racist".

González continued her message this way: "As a Mexican woman and immigrant, I have faced racism and ignorance throughout my life and career. I would never intentionally participate in something that I knew would cause harm or anguish to another person. Excuse me, it is my responsibility to educate myself and use my voice to defend others. And again I deeply apologize for hurting someone. "

Given the current climate of society, where this type of cultural appropriation, often pointed out as racism, is not tolerated, Eiza is only one of several celebrities who has come to apologize for photos from the past in which she appears dressed in blackface.

On Tuesday, Jimmy Kimmel issued an apology in response to numerous offensive comedy sketches. The television presenter apologized to "those who were really hurt or offended by the makeup [he] used or the words [he] uttered."

Other celebrities who have apologized for the same subject are Jimmy Fallon and Howard Stern.