TikTok star Addison Rae Easterling has been silent on social media since June 30 as she faced criticism since an anti-Black Lives Matter video, she shared four years ago, resurfaced.
The 19-year-old, who has collaborated with Kourtney Kardashian for videos, issued an apology on her Twitter account on Wednesday.
‘Four years ago, I reposted a video which included a woman sharing her thoughts on Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter,’ she wrote in her statement. ‘That I should not have.’
Apologizing: TikTok star Addison Rae Easterling, who has collaborated with Kourtney Kardashian for videos, issued an apology on her Twitter account on Thursday after facing criticism over a resurfaced anti-Black Lives Matter video she shared (pictured in February)
‘I owe all of you an apology,’ her statement began. ‘Because of my privilege, I didn’t understand and wasn’t educated enough on the social injustices facing the Black community.’
She expressed her support for Black Lives Matter saying ‘All lives CANNOT matter until Black lives do.’
The video that resurfaced was shared by Easterling four years ago and referred to the Black Lives Matter movement as ‘a cult’ that does ‘more harm’ than ‘good.’
‘The Black community was and continues to be oppressed and damaged by systemic racism,’ Easterling continued.
Collaborators: Easterling last collaborated with Kourtney and her son Mason Disick for videos in June. ‘I owe all of you an apology,’ her statement began. ‘Because of my privilege, I didn’t understand and wasn’t educated enough on the social injustices facing the Black community.’
Statement: ‘Four years ago, I reposted a video which included a woman sharing her thoughts on Black Lives Matter and All Lives Matter,’ she wrote in her statement. ‘That I should not have’
Criticism: The video that resurfaced was shared by Easterling four years ago and referred to the Black Lives Matter movement as ‘a cult’ that does ‘more harm’ than ‘good.’ Her apology was her first post on social media since June 30
The creator, who is the second most followed creator on TikTok with 49.6m followers, said she is aware of her ‘mistakes,’ and is ‘committed to learning from them.’
‘I will never stop growing, learning, and fighting for those whose voices rightfully need to be amplified,’ she continued. ‘And will forever believe that Black Lives Matter.’
She went on to encourage followers to ‘join’ her in ‘supporting and learning more about the global Black Lives Matter movement.’
I am truly sorry and I am committed to using the platform you all have given me to work on becoming a better ally,’ she wrote. ‘I love you all endlessly.’
Support: She expressed her support for Black Lives Matter saying ‘All lives CANNOT matter until Black lives do.’ Easterling also encouraged her fans to support the movement
Voicing support: In May, Easterling shared a video lip syncing to Macklemore’s Same Love song lyrics ‘I might not be the same But that’s not important / No freedom ’til we’re equal / Damn right I support it’
In May, Easterling shared a video lip syncing to Macklemore’s Same Love song lyrics ‘I might not be the same But that’s not important / No freedom ’til we’re equal / Damn right I support it.’
The video included a graphic that read ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’ and ‘Black Lives Matter.’
That video came after BLM protests erupted around the country following the death of George Floyd, Easterling included contacts for the Minneapolis Mayor and District Attorney, as well as GoFund me links for Floyd’s family.
‘”If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor,”‘ she captioned the post.
In her video: The video included a graphic that read ‘Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,’ and ‘Black Lives Matter.’ That video came after BLM protests erupted around the country following the death of George Floyd, Easterling included contacts for the Minneapolis Mayor and District Attorney, as well as GoFund me links for Floyd’s family
More backlash: Though in June, she also faced criticism for using a Martin Luther King Jr. quote as a caption for selfies on Instagram, after BLM protests erupted across the country after the death of George Floyd
Though in June, she also faced criticism for using a Martin Luther King Jr. quote as a caption for selfies on Instagram, after BLM protests erupted across the country after the death of George Floyd.
She deleted the photos after being called out by fans and other influencers.
‘I am learning and will continue to educate myself daily,’ she wrote at the time in response to criticism. ‘I take full responsibility for not communicating or displaying it in a respectful way.’
Adding: ‘My intentions are pure and this quote is something I believe in so deeply. I am so sorry and I’ll take it down .’