‘Livid’ Kelly Rowland slams Sesame Place’s ‘ridiculous’ apology
Kelly Rowland slammed Sesame Place’s “ridiculous” apology after a viral video showed a performer appearing to ignore two black children.
“I’m still upset,” Rowland told “Entertainment Tonight” on Monday of the clip, which was taken at Sesame Place Philadelphia and made the rounds on social media over the weekend. “I was livid.”
The mother of two added, “Did you see that ridiculous apology that they had? When I saw this, it was an extension of what I grew up learning and loving about Sesame Street and Sesame Place, but I don’t know what place this is that I saw.
“It made two beautiful little girls feel like they were just not there.”
The Destiny’s Child alum doubled down on her social media comments she posted over the weekend, telling ET that she would’ve “burned the place down” if it were her children.
She concluded that she didn’t want to give the scandal any more attention, “but those little girls, they deserve an apology.”
Over the weekend, a video showed a performer in a Rosita costume appearing to ignore two black girls as they jumped up and down in excitement, waving at the character.
As the two young girls were waiting for a high-five or hug, the character appears to shake its head and walks away.
The mother of the two young girls released a statement on Instagram, writing, “I want to thank each and every one of you for your kind words and support because this is a big thing to me.”
She went on, “I am pissed off! Please believe I will not be quiet about this blatant disrespect to my babies @sesameplace trust me I’m not done yet.”
Sesame Workshop reached out to the mother of the two children and released a statement addressing the viral incident.
“We have been in contact with Sesame Place, our licensed park partner, and they have assured us that they will conduct bias training and a thorough review of the ways in which they engage with families and guests,” the statement read.
Sesame Place also issued a formal apology in which they claimed Rosita’s dismissive gestures weren’t meant specifically for the two girls, and that the performer did not intentionally bypass them.
Rowland — who shares her sons with husband Tim Weatherspoon — originally took to Instagram to express her disappointment and anger with Sesame Street and Place.
“Had that been me, that whole parade would’ve been up in flames,” Rowland, 41, said with a slight chuckle.
