CoverGirl’s James Charles On Racist Ebola Comment: ‘There Are No Excuses’

Leah Prinzivalli
Model and make-up artist James Charles offers a sincere apology. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images for Dior Beauty)
Model and makeup artist James Charles offers a sincere apology. (Photo by Donato Sardella/Getty Images for Dior Beauty)

CoverGirl’s first male spokesmodel broke barriers — then unfortunately built some of his own, and now he’s trying to make amends. Seventeen-year-old James Charles came under fire when he tweeted a “joke” about catching Ebola before a school trip to South Africa.

With the trip — and a lot of angry tweets suggesting fans boycott CoverGirl — behind him, Charles issued a more thoughtful apology over Instagram. “I just spent the past 10 days in South Africa. In Cape Town, our first stop was to a local high school. I was nervous to visit after the recent events, however I was met with endless smiles and hugs from kids that came running from all over the school,” he wrote.

I just spent the past 10 days in South Africa. In Cape Town, our first stop was to a local high school. I was nervous to visit after the recent events, however I was met with endless smiles and hugs from kids that came running from all over the school. Learning about the school system, education and their everyday lives was eye opening. After touring the campus, I sat down with a large group of kids and talked to them about my ignorant comment which degraded their continent. The students made the conversation easy, informative and light hearted. Being able to talk to these kids about my mistake taught me an important lesson about privilege, something that has always been a concept I didn't fully understand. Through speaking with them, I became aware of the potential impact I may have – both positive and negative. I don't want to be someone who takes advantage of this privilege, or be someone who is only self-aware. I was also given the opportunity to talk to the principal of the school about gender identity and acceptance, and we had a great conversation. The students aren't allowed to wear makeup or have long nails and there's a strict dress code at the school, but we talked about the importance of self expression. I realize how fortunate and grateful I have been to have the opportunities that I have – and to be supported by people all over the world and called out when I mess up. My ignorance allowed for me to make a massive error. I am extremely sorry for what I said. There are no excuses. No one owes me forgiveness, but I’ve learned a lot from this experience. I hope that the people who might look up to me will be able to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. I recognize my position as an influencer and know that it is so important to be a positive role model for all, and how in many ways, I have failed to do so. I am eager to keep learning and keep growing as a person. This trip has been one that I will never forget. From one school of Eagles to another, thank you Edgemead for such an incredible and humbling experience.

A post shared by James Charles (@jamescharles) on Feb 28, 2017 at 2:32pm PST

In a lengthy apology, Charles checks his privilege, talks about the importance of self-expression, and acknowledges that “there are no excuses.”

“My ignorance allowed for me to make a massive error. I am extremely sorry for what I said,” Charles wrote. “No one owes me forgiveness, but I’ve learned a lot from this experience. I hope that the people who might look up to me will be able to learn from my mistakes and not repeat them. I recognize my position as an influencer and know that it is so important to be a positive role model for all, and how in many ways, I have failed to do so.”

That word — influencer — is an important one. Charles was hired by CoverGirl not just to break boundaries but also for his reach as a YouTuber with more than 800,000 subscribers who can speak organically to his teen peers. To see Charles work so publicly through the process of retribution for an ignorant, potentially hateful statement may serve as a lesson to many.

CoverGirl has yet to comment on Charles’s latest statement, but the company did make the value of a sincere apology clear in its comments about the original incident: “We agree his statements were inappropriate but appreciate that he has issued an apology. We are an inclusive brand and respect all people and cultures.”

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