MTV Australia under fire over offensive tweet about Eva Longoria and America Ferrera during 2016 Golden Globes
MTV Australia landed in hot water after they posted a Twitter message, which was meant to be a joke but was considered offensive and racist by Twitter users.
During the 2016 Golden Globes held Sunday, Jan. 10, MTV Australia posted a message on their official Twitter account which indicated that they “had no idea” what Eva Longoria and America Ferrera said while presenting an award during the event and that they needed English subtitles, People magazine reports. The message has been deleted after Twitter users called out MTV Australia for the offensive tweet.
Twitter user and “Teen Vogue” editor Ella Ceron wrote, “I would call you out on this @MTVAUSTRALIA but as I'm Latina, you might not understand what I'm typing here.” Other Twitter users also described the message as a form of “racism” and that MTV Australia’s message was not funny. Twitter user SJ Drummond-Minne wrote, “@MTVAUSTRALIA @EvaLongoria @AmericaFerrera casual racism. who would think this is funny? seriously! it is and you are offensive!”
I would call you out on this @MTVAUSTRALIA but as I'm Latina, you might not understand what I'm typing here. pic.twitter.com/942hB7mVrW
— Ella Cerón (@ellaceron) January 11, 2016
In Sunday’s Golden Globes, Longoria and Ferrera presented the Best Actor in a Television Series award together and prior to announcing the nominees and the winner, the two actresses joked about people confusing them for other Hispanic actresses. "Hi, I'm Eva Longoria, not Eva Mendes," Longoria said during the Golden Globes. "And hi, I'm America Ferrera, not Gina Rodriguez," Ferrera added. According to People magazine, Ferrera was mistakenly tagged as Rodriguez, who stars in the series “Jane the Virgin” on the award’s official Twitter account.
MTV Australia also took to Twitter to apologise to fans about the offensive tweet. “Our Tweet was in reference to @EvaLongoria & @AmericaFerrera’s #GoldenGlobes joke. We sincerely apologise for causing offence,” MTV Australia explained. “We get it was a bad call. We’ll leave the humour to @rickygervais.”
MTV Australia’s apology message also gained mixed reactions from Twitter users. Some posted angry and frustrated messages, such as Twitter user Lidia M06 who stated, “@MTVAUSTRALIA @EvaLongoria @AmericaFerrera guess what!? It's not a joke but freaking racist and know who to mess with!!!”
Meanwhile, other Twitter users were understanding and kind enough to accept MTV Australia’s apology. Twitter user Daniel Garza wrote, “@MTVAUSTRALIA I'm Latino, that's funny! No need to apologize, people here, in the States are too … sensitive. #KeepOnLaughing.”