Last fall, CoverGirl did something interesting: they named their first-ever “CoverBoy” to be a brand ambassador for the company. They chose 17-year-old James Charles, a sort-of model who enjoys wearing makeup. I felt the same way about the ambassadorship as I felt about Jaden Smith becoming the face of Louis Vuitton womenswear: while it’s great that the youngsters see themselves living in a genderless society, we aren’t actually there yet, and it feels like these are specific jobs that could have and possibly should have gone to a woman. I’m more understanding in James’s case, because his ambassadorship makes a valid point, which is that there are a lot of men who consume/buy makeup too.
Anyway, that happened and it was a story and James shot a commercial with Katy Perry and all was well. And then this week, James tweeted this:
I will no longer support your company as long as he's on the campaign. This was stereotypical & degrading to Africa. @COVERGIRL @COVERGIRL pic.twitter.com/RpgMp1lqfg
— IG/SC: ParisHeelton (@ImTheBombDotCom) February 16, 2017
“‘I can’t believe we’re going to Africa today omg what if we get Ebola.’ ‘James we’re fine we could’ve gotten it at chipotle last year’….” He later deleted it, but only after leaving it up for several hours. NY Magazine pointed out that he blocked anyone who tried to tell him that the tweet was tone-deaf and offensive. Hours later, he posted this apology. Where he called Africa a country.
— James Charles (@jamescharles) February 16, 2017
And then he had to tweet another explanation for calling “Africa” a country:
I misspoke & said country because we are traveling specifically to South Africa only. I know Africa is a continent and wanted to post an
— James Charles (@jamescharles) February 16, 2017
ACTUAL, GENUINE, apology as soon as physically possible. I have a million things in my head right now. I am sorry and want to fix it somehow
— James Charles (@jamescharles) February 16, 2017
So… yeah. He’s 17 years old. People are total a–holes at that age. And I’m glad he acknowledged his privilege. Still, there are people calling for CoverGirl to cancel him. CoverGirl did issue a statement to NY Mag:
James Charles’ tweet does not represent COVERGIRL’s perspective. We agree his statements were inappropriate but appreciate that he has issued an apology. We are an inclusive brand and respect all people and cultures.
Basically, they’re going to wait and see if this thing blows up any further. If everything dies down in the next few days, he’ll stay on. But if he screws up again… yeah, he’ll probably lose his contract.
Photos courtesy of James Charles’ Instagram.
@freebunny…Agreed, and at least he had the courage to give a real apology. None of the usual If I offended anyone bs.
Agreed. He f-ed up and owned it. Move on.
My god. People need to calm down. He’s a 17 year old boy who said something idiotic. The point is, his apology is pretty good, even great for a guy that age. If I remember correctly, they’re not prone to apologies. I know men in their 30ies who’ve never apologized and meant it. He f*cked up and owned it, I’m not going to ask for more.
He apologized sure..he went into his experiment/trip with complete ignorance and disrespect. 17 years is not a 5 year old,people need to learn,its ridiculous at this point.
People definitely need to learn and get criticism when they say or do something problematic (whether it’s issues about race, gender, culture, sexual orientation, or any other category that has to deal with inequality). But I also especially don’t expect kids/teens to be woke on every social issue or always understand why something isn’t appropriate before they’re called out on it. It’s hard enough to come across liberal and feminist adults who have never said or done anything that was problematic in some way. The most important thing is how they handle the correction, and whether or not the behavior changes or becomes a pattern. The good thing is that he sounds sincere in his apology, but one of his tweets from when he was 13… there are 13 -year-olds and even 11-year-olds who would have known that was racist.
Same, he’s 17. He will say stupid shiz until he’s 25 or so.
And I am suppose to take someone seriously that says they are boycotting CG named Paris Heeltin?? Come on.
Agree! He’s another dumb 17 year old. Hopefully he learns his lesson and thinks before he posts from now on. SO glad I grew up just before social media exploded. Thank God there aren’t permanent traces of how annoying I was in high school all over the Internet 😛
I can remember being ‘woke’ as they say at 17, so age has nothing to do with it. All he seems to know is from the perspective of his privilege. But there is nothing stopping him from expanding his knowledge. Even at 17. I’m sure the trip wasn’t last minute. Why not take the time between the announcement of the trip and the trip actually taking place to educate yourself on where you’re going?
I agree, and I think his rejection of a ghost-written apology in favour of his own words says a lot about his sincerity. I think CG should keep him on, barring any more stupid, uneducated tweets/posts.
All of us have said something dumb, or thoughtless, in our lives. We’re just lucky to have done it in a non-public forum.
At 17, I knew for certain that Europe wasn’t a country and that neither is the United States of America a continent. So i am a bit sorry I might not be able to give him a pass for that. Its often annoying when Africa is referred to as a country by non Africans whereas we Africans were taught to a large extent, countries and continents of the world.
his apology is ok though. sounds genuine
I understand that he is a kid, but if you can’t treat people with respect and can’t bring yourself to LEARN and THINK before you speak/tweet, then you don’t belong in the public eye.
Sorry but this kid is just another privileged dummy. No sympathy here.
The thing is that he has been saying racist and offensive things for years. He deleted his Tweets but the reciepts are there. He has to go I don’t care about his age.
And THANK YOU,that too!! Entitled Privileged little immature uneducated idiot.
Yep. Kid is seventeen and still has a lot to learn. His apology seems sincere so I’d urge everyone not to tar and feather him just yet. Just hopes he knows he’s on notice. Twitter can be an unforgiving place.
Now on to the superficial. His makeup style looks a little too Kardashianesque for me to find it appealing (winged eyeliner being the exception) but I appreciate that he’s not afraid to go out there and be himself.
I’ve seen some of his videos on youtube and find him kind of annoying but he’s literally a child. And his apology seemed more genuine than apologies written by celebs twice or three times his age. He clearly has a long way to go and perhaps we shouldnt be giving celebs this young such a platform because honestly even as a WOC I’ve thought and said some messed up things at 17 and would hate to have it broadcasted for the world to see.
That being said, he should step away from social media a bit and grow up BUT his ‘sassiness’ and being super visible on social media is part of his ~brand (which is crazy to think someone at 17 has a brand but I digress…) so I doubt he will
Africa/ebola are never clever or funny. They just seem so…bottom of the barrel.
He apologized so all you can do is take him at his word. If it continues, well maybe Cover Girl should reconsider their relationship with him. Seems like it was a dumb off the cuff microaggression. Lots of people are guilty of committing microaggressions that offend POC and other marginalized people. Hopefully calling it out gives everyone something to think about it and we all do better going forward.
But as for the male model thing, I feel like Cover Girl could’ve done better.
Good apology. Ignorant twit owns up to being ignorant twit and tries to do better.
This is, like, so bloody unusual for a celebrity called out on wankiness, I’ve decided to like him even though I have absolutely no idea who he is and even less interest in cover girls, let alone cover boys.
Eh! That’s the age when you gotta gather em and get em together and explain what’s what before they turn into Trump Voters and such, so, he f*cked up and people told him where he got us all f*cked up
I would agree with you but this dimwit has been posting racist crap for years before he got the contract, I’m assuming covergirl did a sweep and deleted all his offensive tweets, but he’s a racist undercover.
The hazards of a culture that worships youth. We’re supposed to admire and embrace fools like this. He’s not aspirational, interesting, admirable, or eloquent. Maybe he will be in 10-15 years. Will they hire him then? Right now he’s a child and an ignorant one at that. Shut him up Cover Girl, or face the consequences.
Hope he’s not wearing a face full of make up over there. Not safe for a guy (unless you’re on stage) at the best of times. His apology was pretty good and I can still say dumb sh*t in my 50s … so giving him a one time pass.
I live in South Africa. I’m more offended by you then by him. Please read a book or use the Internet. They are your friends!
PANDY your comment about South Africa is so ignorant, I’m actually embarrassed on your behalf…
@Pandy I’m a South African living in South Africa and that is not true at all! We have one of the most democratic constitutions in the world. You sound just as ignorant as him. Please don’t speak on issues you clearly have no knowledge about, it’s embarrassing & reveals your own personal prejudices. SMH
“His apology was pretty good and I can still say dumb sh*t in my 50s … ” yeah and you just did with what you said about South Africa, you don’t know ‘sh*t’ about my country and I agree with the others your comment is ignorant and offensive.
I have joked about not going to various places because of West Nile,Zika, etc.It was obviously a joke when he mentioned Chipotle.
Ebola vs E coli
I accept his apology. He’s a kid and kids say stupid things. Sadly, this type of joke is common and I’m glad that he now realizes it’s offensive.
On another note, I’ve said the same thing in Jaden Smith threads where people say that he’s not a kid and we shouldn’t make excuses for him (Jaden is a year older than James) when he says dumb things.
Well, you know Black Kids are “older” more prone to be “too Grown/fast” and Thuggish *eyerolls*
And there you have it. Thank you for always typing my thoughts out 😩🙌🏾
So true, Almond Joy.
Why is Jaden considered an “adult” but James is still a “kid”? Ugh.
yes Lady Rain… things that make you go hmmmm…
Ryan Lochte was still “a kid” with his 32 year old self. Some of us don’t get that benefit.
OB: no lies told. It’s all very perplexing.
Strange, I don’t consider Jaden an adult at all! If anything, due to his sheltered/insulated sort of upbringing, and his publicized, innocent (if pretentious) thoughts about life, he seems a lot younger than his years. I would never, ever consider Jaden even close to an adult, it has nothing to do with his race. Some people at any age are just immature, this Cover Girl boy and both of the Smith kids among them.
Whomp there it is. Always a different standard when it comes to our skinfolk don’tcha know. Also in my neck of the woods, the idea that at 18 you’re grown/an adult doesn’t fly. Sh-t at nineteen, I still had a curfew.
Yes exactly!!! Sidenote: ICM! QQ and I are looking for you on ig! What’s your username? There’s an invitation for you in the Conor McGregor thread
Good point. I think people overreact to Jaden Smith (and actually, I don’t remember him ever saying anything as offensive as some of the stuff this kid has said anyway). Weren’t people just mad because he made some kind of dismissive comment about education?
Some of the other racist shit this innocent, harmless, 17 year-old has shared on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/cheyennemiles_/status/832418577756086274
Woop, there it is.
Wow what a jerk. Yeah, he’s a teen, but even most teens know THAT is some racist sh*t ! He probably only apologized because he is now representing Cover Girl and has to. I mean his history of racist tweets speak for themselves.
He’s been saying racist trash for years now. No boys will be boys from me. Trump 2020 voter right in front of our eyes.
Also, interesting to see “he is just a kid. He made a mistake”. But Tamir Rice and Trayvon Marti were a young men who should have known better. Riiiiiiiiiight
Seems like black people, african culture, etc…are always the last resort in an insult or disregard…. smdh….
He’s also said racist sh*t about Mexicans and Indians in other older tweets. I can’t believe Cover Girl hired this jerk.
He sound sincere here and I was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. However on FB he has gone in on Kevin James Bennett, an experienced mua who has years in the industry. Sure he is young and needs to learn, or maybe he is just an asshole who has already let fame go to his head, I can’t tell yet.
We we’re all 17 once. We’ve all made mistakes!! Being stupid is a part of being young. There is no way around it. That is how you learn!! Put down the stones, glass houses are fragile.
A make-up obsessed 17 year old who takes selfies all day is ignorant? No way!
But this is far from offensive. Leave the dumb kid alone.
I’m sorry but why does he have a Cover Girl contract to begin with? Like seriously, it’s so ridiculous.
People say and do stupid stuff when they’re 17, but the fact that he thought it ws okay to share it on twitter says a lot. But yeah, his apology is one of the better ones.
Generally speaking, I’m sick of most of these male MUA on youtube. Their makeup skills are basic as fuck (James, MannyMUA) and a lot of them are racist, sexist and misogynistic to the max (Jefree Star). They’re popular because they’re men not conforming to gender norms, but there are so many women out there with much more talent that are less problematic.
Yup. Just look at Stephanir Nicole. She’s smart, she’s got class, but she will never be as popular as those men.
Stephanie Nicole is extremely rude to her followers (she can’t handle even the slightest disagreement with her opinions and regularly explodes at fans) and extremely biased in her ‘honest’ reviews (if she likes a brands products eg. Lime Crime she’ll overlook all manner of issues, and she never makes an issue of similar ingredient lists with the many products she likes). She’s also said a lot of wildly insensitive and uninformed things about mental illness.
Jeesie has a point. Stephanie has said some problematic stuff as well. Aside from that, even though most of her reviews are great, her makeup skills are quite average as well.
“I’d bet if a straight black (or white) woman had made a comment about not going into a gay club to avoid getting hiv…her contract would be canceled. And cover girl would have issued an additional apology and condemnation of the former model.”
So true.
The thing that annoys me the most is that if it had been Jews or gays that were offended, CG would have been way more apt to do more than brush it off like they did this. I don’t buy CG, never have and never will now.
I’m just so over what he represents, which is a hypocritical view of tolerance. I’m sure he would be the first to cry about people’s intolerance for him being gay or a guy who wears makeup. But he had no qualms about making racist statements and being ignorant about a place he is about to visit. Gay is the new black, gay marriage is the new slavery, and all of those other played out bs things get on my nerves. I know and love plenty of people in that community – but the gay struggle and the black struggle will never be the same thing or on the same level. Ever.
This is just another notch in the erasure belt. Women can’t have our own spaces, black people can’t have our own spaces. The only thing that is being actively preserved in this country is being white and male. Everyone can’t claim white or male – because they hold on to that shit with an iron fist. But being a black woman has been so bastardized these days. Everyone with their “inner sassy black woman” persona, anyone who want to be a “woman” or “black” can claim it. It’s crazy to me.
Oh and 17 is a man when its a black 17 year old -but a child who doesn’t know any better when its not.
I love everything about this comment. Most people have been so conditioned to view the world a certain way, they don’t even realize it.
He’s not a toddler except by the way he expresses his ideas in a social network so I am fine for making him accountable for his tasteless posts. To me, this young man is canceled and BTW I don’t like his makeup style at all.