Angela Bassett’s Son Released An Apology For His Michael B. Jordan Death TikTok Prank

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I could’ve told you this a long time ago: A viral TikTok trend featuring kids telling their family members that celebrities have died wasn’t a bandwagon to jump on.

ABC / Via media.giphy.com

In fact, I did try to say that a week ago — verbatim.

Unfortunately, Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance’s 16-year-old son Slater joined in on the prank — and now he’s issued an apology for his participation.

Angela and Courtney smile as they pose for photographers at a red carpet event
Kevin Winter / Getty Images

On New Year's Eve, Slater shared a heartbreaking video apology after he tricked his parents with the fake news that Angela's Black Panther costar, Michael B. Jordan, had died.

"I would sincerely like to apologize for taking part in such a harmful trend," he said.

"I apologize to Michael B. Jordan's entire family, extended family, and him directly, as he is an idol of mine."

  Kevin Winter / Getty Images
Kevin Winter / Getty Images

"Taking part in a trend like this is completely disrespectful. I don't wish any bad ramifications of this on his family nor my parents, as they deserve none of the backlash. I know this was a mistake."

  Michael Tullberg / Getty Images
Michael Tullberg / Getty Images

In a now-deleted video on TikTok, Slater filmed Angela and Courtney reacting to him reading a fake news story, saying, "Did you hear this? Michael B. Jordan dead at 35?"

  Frazer Harrison / The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
Frazer Harrison / The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images

Angela was immediately distraught, while Courtney was skeptical. The joke is extremely uncomfortable, considering Angela's relationship with friend and Black Panther costar Chadwick Boseman, who died in 2020.

  Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Turner
Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Turner

Slater believes owning up to his mistake could prevent others from continuing harmful trends. "I hope this can be a teaching lesson to anyone out there who also uses social media as a tool and a source of entertainment to truly understand that your actions can have consequences that extend beyond you," he said.

Angela, Chadwick, and Michael at the Screen Actor Guild Awards with their trophys
John Shearer / Getty Images for People Magazine

"I apologize for any hurt that my actions may have caused Mr. Jordan or my parents or anyone else who could have been involved in this. And I am truly, truly and sincerely sorry."

Angela, Courtney, or Michael B. Jordan have not officially commented on the videos. But, as I said before, this is not the trend to follow.

  Dan Macmedan / WireImage
Dan Macmedan / WireImage