An ex-bodyguard of Justin Bieber has taken to Twitter to defend the singer from accusations of racism, after five-year-old footage of the then 15-year-old telling a racist joke that included multiple uses of the N-word surfaced online Sunday.
Kenny Hamilton physically protected the teen idol at the start of his professional career back in 2008, and it seems old habits die hard.
In a series of tweets posted hours after The Sun newspaper broke the story on their paywall site and TMZ also, Hamilton insists his former ward is no racist.
We all make jokes about people’s size, look, or race. That doesn’t mean it’s right but comedians make millions of dollars profiting off…
— Kenny Hamilton (@KennyHamilton) June 1, 2014
…of these jokes. If someone is racist or prejudice you would know from a persons actions. Not because of a joke a 15 year old says.
— Kenny Hamilton (@KennyHamilton) June 1, 2014
What I do know whole heartedly is @justinbieber is not prejudice nor is he racist. He wasn’t raised that way and his family isn’t either.
— Kenny Hamilton (@KennyHamilton) June 1, 2014
Yes he said some bad jokes and I know if he could he would take back what was said. He’s grown a lot in 5 years and as we all grow we learn
— Kenny Hamilton (@KennyHamilton) June 1, 2014
After describing press and internet criticism of Bieber is a constant “that won’t change,” the former guard declared:
“As a black man I am telling the world that @justinbieber is not a racist. I have known him since he was 12 years old and I know his heart.”
As a black man I am telling the world that @justinbieber is not a racist. I have known him since he was 12 years old and I know his heart.
— Kenny Hamilton (@KennyHamilton) June 1, 2014
Although Hamilton no longer works with Bieber and is now an executive at Beats Music, he is still pals with the singer.
That said, TMZ reports the bodyguard made his public statement without being asked to by Bieber or his manager Scooter Braun.
The video of Bieber’s N-word gaffe was first posted on Britain’s The Sun newspaper paywall-only site. TMZ later posted it, while claiming they refused to post the footage four years ago because of Bieber’s young age and because he subsequently said he’d been stupid.
The clip was allegedly filmed while Bieber was backstage at a 2010 promotional event, and while filming took place for his concert-movie Never Say Never which opened in February 2011.
The footage shows a 15-year-old Bieber regaling his friends with this stupid, juvenile racist joke :
“Why are black people afraid of chainsaws?” Reeling off the punchline, “Run, n****r,” Bieber repeated the N-word to imitate the sound of a chainsaw.
The Sun are billing the ongoing race storm they kicked off as an endgame for Bieber, that could finally force him out of showbusiness after just about weathering a year and a bit of incidents , two arrests, ongoing lawsuits, an incoming DUI trial and other indignities .
They may have a point, although the newspaper’s own track record for racism is appalling.
A source allegedly told the tabloid:
“This video is Justin Bieber and his camp’s worst nightmare. Even after the year he’s had – when he’s never been far from controversy, this tops the lot.”
Adding , “Justin has been taken under his wing by some of the best in the industry and they won’t stand by him after this. This will be a real kick in the teeth, showing his true colours on film. This could be the end of the road for him if artists refuse to work with him based on this (sic).”
Nothing like a bit of overkill then.
For Bieber’s part, TMZ reports the singer is “frustrated and sad.” He has since apologized unreservedly for his year old faux pas.
It remains to be seen if over the top comment comparing Bieber to former LA Clippers owner and defiantly racist Donald Sterling, will put down the tar and feathers long enough to digest Kenny Hamilton’s testimonial and that of other friends of the singer.
Lets get one thing straight, @justinbieber is the FURTHEST thing from a racist and anyone that truly knows him will tell you the same thing.
— Wilson Warren (@wilsonwarren) June 1, 2014
We all make stupid mistakes and decisions young and that’s life but don’t listen to pathetic tabloids for a second. — Wilson Warren (@wilsonwarren) June 1, 2014