Deejay Puffy issued a public apology today for the “public humiliation” he caused a female reveller who was climbing and dancing on light post at Notting Hill Carnival in the United Kingdom.
Puffy, real name André Parris, came under fire on social media for the words he used in asking the women to come down. He was on the music truck doing a set and the woman was on the side of the road. He said he was concerned about her getting injured.
“Instead of simply asking her to come down, I made an unnecessary and humiliating comment about her over the microphone, in front of a large crowd. It was disrespectful, and it was wrong,” he said. “Concern for someone’s safety did not give me the right to insult her, embarrass her, or turn her into the subject of a joke.”
Puffy not only apologised directly to the woman, telling her she “did not deserve to be spoken about that way or to have a moment of enjoyment turned into public humiliation”, but took full responsibility for singling her out, acknowledging his words fell short of what was expected of him and vowed to do better.
“Carnival should be a space where people can celebrate, participate and express themselves without being shamed. My words went against that spirit and fell far short of the responsibility that comes with holding a microphone in front of a large crowd.
“I also understand why my words cut deeper for many who heard them. Our women already experience an unfair level of scrutiny, commentary and disrespect about their bodies. Regardless of my intention in that moment, my words contributed to that harm, and I take responsibility for it.”
He apologised also to the Carnival community and reiterated he would exercise “greater care, discipline and awareness” in how he used his voice and the platform he has been given.
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