A last-minute joke snuck onto a teleprompter has landed BET and model Karrueche Tran in hot water, and now the network have issued an apology for a joke during a live broadcast that mocked Blue Ivy, daughter of superstar couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé.
The whole thing went down on Monday when Karrueche was serving as a substitute host on BET’s 106 & Park talk show and a last-minute teleprompter change added a bit about “Top 6 Things Blue Ivy Thought at the VMAs.”; Reading from the teleprompter, Karruche quipped: “I really did wake up like this, because my parents never comb my hair.”; After her comment, she giggled and added, “Sorry, Blue — I love you!”;
Karrueche was immediately slammed on social media for mocking a two-year old, and today BET has issued a statement of apology, announcing that 106 & Park will go on a week-long hiatus. Declaring that Karruceche is taking “full responsibility”; for the slam, BET issued a statement apologizing to the model, as well as to Blue Ivy’s famous parents:
“Yesterday, Karrueche Tran co-hosted 106 & Park and while hosting the show she made a comment about Blue Ivy’s hair during the segment “Top Six Things Blue Ivy Thought at the VMAs.’ In no way did Karrueche mean to offend Blue Ivy or her parents Beyoncé and Jay Z.”;
The statement continues: “This was Karrueche’s first time hosting on live television. Although she had been rehearsing the script for days, there was a script change 10 minutes before showtime to add coverage of the VMAs and the Mike Brown Memorial. Karrueche had not reviewed the revised script until she read it on the teleprompter.
“Karrueche is taking full responsibility for the comment but wants it clear that she would not mock a child. “I am a huge Beyonce fan and I love Blue Ivy. I apologize for the comment and wish I had a chance to review the revised script so that I could have avoided participating in that segment.’ “
“Karrueche admires girls and women who wear natural hair. “I love that Blue is able to wear her natural hair. I laugh when I am nervous and when I registered what I had just said, I of course was taken aback.’ “
In addition, BET president Stephen Hill says the network has reached out to the Carters to apologize: “Last night on 106 & Park there was a stupid, unthoughtful joke made about a young child. We apologize publically to the child’s parents (and have done so privately) and we have taken punitive actions with those responsible. It was very bad judgment and we will serve you much better in the future. Oh, and please don’t hate on Karrueche; it was NOT her fault. We also apologize to her for putting her in that position.”;
In addition, Associated Press is reporting that the producer responsible for the distasteful joke has been suspended.
