American Actor Skai Jackson apologises After Claiming Kenyans Can’t Afford Mirrors

American actor and former Disney star Skai Jackson has issued a public apology to Kenyans following backlash over a viral video in which she claimed that mirrors are so expensive in Kenya that “a lot of people don’t know what they look like.”

In a video statement shared across her social media platforms, Jackson clarified that her comments were taken out of context and that she intended no disrespect toward the country or its people.

“When I was talking about my trip to Kenya, I did not mean any disrespect by it,” Jackson said. “I went back in 2018, and I did go to a very tiny village. I wish I knew the name. I have pictures. I took it on my old Snapchat account with all of the students and the teachers there.”

The 23-year-old actor explained that the information she shared was relayed to her by local children and teachers during her visit to a rural community, and that she was speaking specifically about that particular village rather than Kenya as an entire nation. “But like I said, the children and teacher did tell me that. It was me and a bunch of people. It wasn’t just me on that trip,” she added. “But I didn’t mean everyone in Africa. I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful.“

Jackson, who rose to fame on the Disney Channel series Jessie and Bunk’d, expressed her desire to return to the country. “I really, really enjoyed my time in Kenya like genuinely. I’ve been saying that I’ve been wanting to go back,” she said. “I just wanted to apologise for my conversation when I was talking about my trip. I just would never be disrespectful.”

“I was not talking about Kenya as an entirety, as in everyone in Kenya does not have mirrors. I was specifically talking about that very tiny village that I went to. Maybe I need to do better at explaining, making sure I’m saying the correct words,” Jackson concluded.

The initial remarks, which circulated widely on social media platforms, drew criticism from Kenyan users who accused the actor of perpetuating negative stereotypes about the country.