Colleen Ballinger is under fire for a 2009 performance of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” in what some claim was blackface, which her legal team denies.
When social media influencer Paige Christie saw footage of Ballinger recreating the 2008 big single during one of her live concerts, she accused the YouTube star of being racially inappropriate. Ballinger, dressed as her uncomfortable alter ego Miranda Sings, was seen belting out the song with what seemed to be dark paint smeared across her face in a 45-second clip released on Twitter on July 5.
“I’m gonna need someone to explain the black on her face,” Christie replied, prompting activist Shola Mos-Shogbamimu to respond with a separate tweet, “Colleen Ballinger tells the world she’s a racist with her full chest.” Imagine performing a Beyoncé song in blackface as the audience laughs and is entertained.”
However, a law firm representing Colleen claims that the Haters Back Off star was wearing green face paint from a previous cover of Wicked’s “As Long As You’re Mine.” Ballinger had painted her face green to look like Elphaba, the witch from the show, before performing her Beyoncé cover, according to the firm Berk Brettler.”
Colleen Ballinger is under fire for a 2009 performance of Beyoncé’s “Single Ladies” in what some claim was blackface, which her legal team denies.
She painted her face green like the witch,” the law firm said NBC News in a statement. “She went right into ‘Single Ladies’ after that number (while still wearing the green makeup).” She used to finish all of her concerts with that Beyoncé song—it was one of her most popular portions.”
Berk Brettler also offered a longer video of the event, which showed Colleen singing onstage with Wicked star Oliver Tompsett, according to the outlet.
This was not the first time Ballinger had been accused of being racist. In 2020, the content producer apologized for using “racial stereotypes” in a video from a decade ago in which she and her sister pretended to be Latinx women.
“It is not funny and completely hurtful,” Colleen stated in her apology video. “I’m so ashamed and embarrassed that I ever thought this was okay.”
She addressed the allegations made by fellow YouTuber Adam McIntyre, who claimed Ballinger gave him underwear during a broadcast when he was a minor.
“I should never have sent that,” Colleen admitted. “I don’t know what part of my brain was missing at the time that I thought, ‘Oh, this is a normal, silly thing to do.'”
The 36-year-old recently denied child grooming charges and illicit relationships with minor followers. In a video posted on June 28, Colleen strummed a ukulele while comparing the charges to a “toxic gossip train” on its way to “manipulation station.”
“I’m sure you’re disappointed in my s–tty little song, and I know you wanted me to say I was completely wrong,” she said. “I’m sorry, but I’m not going to go that route of admitting to lies and rumours you made up for clout.”
SOURCE – (Enews)
