James Charles deletes "racist" video of Rosa TikTok impersonation following backlash
26 February 2020, 15:49
"I hope you know making fun of a Latinx accent like this is racist. Tired of his white ass profiting and making fun of POC."
James Charles is being accused of being "racist" after mimicking the accent of TikTok creator @adamrayokay's character Rosa, who is Latinx.
Earlier this year, Rosa's TikTok videos went viral. Known for her wonky eyelashes, heavy contour and distinct accent, Rosa's POV clips usually show her talking to friends at school, flirting and asking to borrow money.
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In a Snapchat video, which has now been deleted, James can be seen driving while he recreates a viral video of Rosa discovering her schoolmate is gay. The original TikTok, which has 1.6 million views, is titled "POV: Rosa finds out her 8th period partner is gay".
While many can see the hilarity in Rosa's videos, she's obviously playing on a stereotype. And there's a difference between somebody from the Latinx community making jokes about stereotypes within their culture and someone doing it who isn't Latinx.
So, when James – who has previously apologised for using racist language – decided to copy this, people were offended.
the most unfunny video on earth like I’m frowning like this is such a buzz kill.. like.... https://t.co/jvZVfv7H06
— tr#y (@Troyyxy) February 25, 2020
james charles really made a video imitating rosa and added a really thick accent like he says he’s latino but i bet he dont even know anything besides the basic hollywood stereotype 🤢 pic.twitter.com/yATtzA5olh
— leighla (@uglysayswhat) February 25, 2020
Me when James Charles did an impression of Rosa pic.twitter.com/OyrvCggF3v
— Sunny (@that_sleep_life) February 25, 2020
@jamescharles I hope you know making fun of a latinx accent like this is racist and that when the OG Rosa does it it’s not cause he is Latinx. Tired of his white ass profiting and making fun of POC. https://t.co/cjPb7H5DBp
— BERN-EBOY 2020 (@HectorUCalzada) February 25, 2020
Something about that james charles video recreating the rosa tik tok really ain't sitting right with my soul we need to get his nasty nasty ass out of here quickly
— tyler (@byetyler) February 25, 2020
When you are white and you attempt to do a Latino accent but you just end up sounding even more white 💀💀💀
— ꧁ ᴀᴀʟɪʏᴀʜ ꧂ (@PsychoShortcake) February 25, 2020
Sorry but I did not need to see James Charles ruining my accent on this Tuesday morning. Rosa doesn’t deserve this. https://t.co/IbRQcmYpa7
James Charles reenacting Rosa’s videos but making her sound white... this is gentrification... can we ever have something to ourselves pic.twitter.com/0Y9Zh9R7QN
— 🔥 (@stephygrande) February 25, 2020
Something about that james charles video recreating the rosa tik tok really ain't sitting right with my soul we need to get his nasty nasty ass out of here quickly
— tyler (@byetyler) February 25, 2020
However, others came to James' defence.
As a Hispanic I literally see 0 racism here .... the Hispanic accent ? Rlly? It might be a bit insensitive but def not racist. And this is coming from someone who can’t stand James Charles but whatever keep on claiming everything’s racist.
— ✨ERIK✨ (@Erikszn_) February 25, 2020
For everyone calling James Charles racist for doing a Rosa impression needs to shut the fuck up lol you guys are part of the fucking problem because I know all of you mother fuckers whether you are black, asian, white, hispanic etc have also done the rosa impression so shut up
— Hash (@hashleydrew) February 26, 2020
James didn't address the backlash directly, but he did seemingly urge people to be kinder on social media.
I get that a lot of people don’t like me. I’ve learned to accept & understand it - but the extent that some people on this app are willing to go in attempt to ruin my life is truly sad. I hope one day people find a way to feel validation without having to bash others for likes.
— James Charles (@jamescharles) February 26, 2020
He tweeted: "I get that a lot of people don’t like me. I’ve learned to accept & understand it – but the extent that some people on this app are willing to go in attempt to ruin my life is truly sad. I hope one day people find a way to feel validation without having to bash others for likes."
