Cuban-American beauty vlogger Kathleen Fuentes (aka Kathleen Lights) is apologizing today after using the word "nigga" on fellow vlogger Jaclyn Hill's Snapchat.
Hill posted the Snapchat on Friday night after the two had filmed a collab and were relaxing with drinks and video games. The video has been deleted from Hill's Snapchat, but Fuentes claims she asked Hill not to post the clip. Hill explained that she was "drunk" and didn't hear Fuentes asking her not to share the video.
Fans of Fuentes are deeply disappointed and the story has blown up on social media. But it exploded even more this morning, when YouTuber Jeffree Star, who's used racial slurs in the past, tweeted about it.
Fuentes posted her apology at 7 am PST.
She also posted it on Instagram with the following caption.
"Although I appreciate EVERYONES [sic] comments. This message was directed to those of you who were truly hurt by this. Those of you affected by this word. People are under the impression I said N****r (I did not) but the word I said is still JUST AS WRONG. I didn't say it in a racist context but honestly I shouldn't have said it AT ALL. I have never been more ashamed in my entire life. I deserve every negative comment coming my way but I hope you can give me a second chance. Please. This community means so much to me & I'm appalled. I try my best to be a good influence & I truly messed up. I will do better and learn from this."
Hill replied, reiterating that she was drunk and didn't hear Fuentes' request not to post the video.
Around the same time, Jeffree Star tweeted (and later deleted) a question of Hill's intentions for posting the video.
Up until perhaps now, Hill and Star have been friends who both talked glowingly of one another on YouTube and social media.
Hill replied immediately.
Star's response indicated he and Hill are not on good terms.
But none of this should detract from the real issue, which is what Fuentes said.
It's sad that racial slurs have become common in a community that's supposed to be about makeup and fun and bringing beauty into the world.
This is also a good time to recognize the overwhelming whiteness of YouTube and the beauty industry in general.
In Forbes' 2017 list of the top beauty influencers, zero Black POC are represented.
