Fernanda Torres apologized for doing blackface in a comedy sketch nearly twenty years ago . The Brazilian actress , who has recently been nominated for an Academy Award , was on a Brazilian TV show Fantastico 17 years ago. Fantastico is a sketch comedy show that has been airing in the South American country for 50 years.
The controversial sketch was called The Opposite Sex: The Family (Father Vs. Mother) which Fernanda was a part of and played a character in blackface. In a statement to Deadline, Fernanda addressed and expressed regret for the blackface in the sketch: "Almost twenty years ago, I appeared in blackface in a comedy sketch from a Brazilian TV show.
I am very sorry for this. I’m making this statement as it is important for me to address this swiftly to avoid further pain and confusion. "At that time, despite the efforts of Black movements and organizations, the awareness of the racist history and symbolism of blackface hadn’t yet entered the mainstream public consciousness in Brazil.
Thanks to better cultural understanding and important but incomplete achievements in this century, it’s very clear now in our country and everywhere that blackface is never acceptable," she continued. "This is an important conversation we must continue to have with one another in order to prevent the normalization of racist practices then and now. As an artist and global citizen, and from my open heart, I remain attentive and committed to the pursuit of vital changes needed to l.
