BD Wong Faces Backlash After Social Media Joke Sparks Outrage
BD Wong has issued a public apology after a controversial joke on social media drew criticism. The actor expressed regret for his words and addressed the impact of his comments in a series of follow-up posts.
BD Wong, known for his Tony Award-winning performances and roles in shows like Mr. Robot and Law & Order: SVU, recently found himself at the center of controversy after a comment he made online. The incident began when Mike Holston, also known as 'The Real Tarzan,' posted a photo of himself with a large animal draped over his shoulders, inviting followers to play along with the caption, “Name this animal… wrong answers only.”
Wong responded in the comments with a remark that many found offensive:
“It appears to be a Black man.”
The comment quickly drew criticism from users who called out the racial insensitivity. As the backlash grew, Wong deleted his comment but soon addressed the situation publicly.
Public Apology and Explanation
Taking to Threads, Wong issued a heartfelt apology for his actions. He wrote,
“Y’all I made a very bad joke. As most people in hot water do, I deleted it for Damage Control but it’s out there & continues to hurt & disappoint & I’m really sorry about the hurt part.”
He went on to explain his thought process, saying he was attempting to follow the “Wrong Answers Only” prompt with what he called the “wrongest answer.”
Wong continued,
“This succeeded only in that it was Super Wrong. I know nobody gets a free pass. I’m sorry if this #wtfbd moment tarnished any respect you may’ve had for me. & thanks if you advocate for an internet that’s safe for everybody.”
His words reflected a clear sense of regret and an understanding of the pain his comment caused.
Further Reflection and Responsibility
Several hours later, Wong returned to Threads to further address the situation. He acknowledged the gravity of his actions and the harm they caused, stating,
“I want to elaborate on a racist comment I posted, to clarify that I recognize & accept the responsibility for how terrible it is. It’s also wrong to try to ‘explain’ anything, & I think that causes a further breaking down in folks’ trust.”
He concluded his second apology with a direct admission:
“Let me please spend the energy on how wrong I know it is to exploit a despicable, racist trope in the supposed spirit of humor; I do know better, but again no excuses. Very sorry for the hurt I’ve caused & for taking lightly something so deeply injurious.”
Since these statements, Wong has not posted further updates on Threads.