Polish show sparks backlash over Blackface impersonations of Kendrick Lamar, Drake, and more
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Video clips from a television series in Poland are sparking international outrage after going viral on the internet. A recent episode of “Twoja Twarz Brzmi Znajomo” — a version of the Spanish talent show “Tu Cara Me Suena,” or “Your Face Sounds Familiar” — saw singer Kuba Szmajkowski and actress Pola Gonciarz use Blackface to impersonate and perform as Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé, respectively. During Szmajkowski’s time on stage, he also openly used the N-word in his rendition of the DAMN. standout “HUMBLE.” Both contestants shared their transformations on social media, which was soon met with vitriol from critics around the globe.
This isn’t the first time that “Twoja Twarz Brzmi Znajomo” received backlash for race-related incidents. Footage from previous shows have surfaced with Blackface imitations of Drake, Kanye West, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson, and Stevie Wonder. In a post shared on the show’s Instagram account in 2021, the powers that be behind “Twoja Twarz Brzmi Znajomo” feigned surprise over the negative reaction.
“Incredibly important for us, as well as for the artists taking part in the show, is the charity aspect of the program. ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’ is an entertainment show, which invites celebrities to try and recreate the image and the performance of famous and distinguished artists, while trying to be as accurate in the depiction as they can. This is an idea known all over the world,” the message said. “The intention of each star performing on the show, as well as of the whole production team, is to recreate the original performance in the most precise manner, while honoring the original artist.”
On Tuesday (Sept. 12), French entertainment conglomerate Banijay Group, who oversees the series’ producer, Endemol Shine Poland, condemned the display and called it a contradiction of their “global values.” “A subsequent internal investigation is underway and the appropriate measures will be taken,” the company added, per The Hollywood Reporter.
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