Brazilian actress Fernanda Torres has issued an apology after footage resurfaced of her wearing blackface in a TV comedy sketch which aired two decades ago.
The 59-year-old, who has been nominated for an Oscar in the 'Best Actress in a Leading Role' category for her performance in I’m Still Here,
shot the offensive sketch as part of the three-hour Brazilian show Fantastico back in 2008.
The clip in question, which is titled 'The Opposite Sex: The Family (Father Vs. Mother)', has since resurfaced on social media following Torres' recent Oscar nomination.
The sketch features two actors playing multiple roles, Torres and a male actor, who explore the episode's theme on who is more important: the mother or the father?
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The Mother, played by Torres, says she wants to separate the Father as she's tired. She also says she needs a housekeeper to help with the housework.
The housekeeper, who is also played Torres wearing blackface, then appears, saying that all the problems the Mother has, she also has including children of her own, a house to take care of, and a husband to 'satisfy'.
Torres has since apologised for the sketch, telling Deadline in a statement: "Almost twenty years ago, I appeared in blackface in a comedy sketch from a Brazilian TV show.
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"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."
The actress continued: "At that time, despite the efforts of Black movements and organisations, 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.
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"This is an important conversation we must continue to have with one another in order to prevent the normalisation of racist practices then and now."
Torres concluded: "As an artist and global citizen, and from my open heart, I remain attentive and committed to the pursuit of vital changes needed to live in a world free from inequality and racism."
Tyla has reached out to reps for Fernanda Torres for further comment.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact Stop Hate UK by visiting their website www.stophateuk.org.
Rhiannon Ingle