Michael Rapaport Loses It Recalling Being Labeled Racist Over Fake Kenya Moore Photo

BY Erika Marie 10.4K Views
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Michael Rapaport
His ire was felt.

Movie star Michael Rapaport is often unfiltered. The entertainer doesn't believe in censoring his thoughts for anyone, and in our social media-driven culture, Rapaport's comments regularly find themselves as the subject of headlines. During the actor's recent visit to People's Party with Talib Kweli, Rapaport took the time to speak openly about his controversies, including his internet war with Real Housewives of Atlanta's Kenya Moore and the alleged doctored racist photo that was attributed to him.

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In 2018, Rapaport made a comment about Kenya having "ashy ankles" while they were trading verbal insults on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. People called his remark racist, and soon an alleged screenshot from Rapaport's Instagram surfaced. It showed a side-by-side photo of Kenya with a screaming ape and Rapaport became the racist villain of the internet. 

However, according to Rapaport, the picture was a fake. Kweli's People's Party co-host Jasmin Leigh attempted to call him out on it, but Rapaport wasn't having it because he said it was a lie. "It is f*cked up. You know that place, The Root?" he asked regarding the publication. The Root shared a scathing report about the actor at the time titled, "The Worst Type of White Man."

"I told them they could suck my f*ckin' d*ck, too," Rapaport angrily said. "You're trying to make it seem like I f*ckin' posted a picture of a black woman next to an ape? Suck my f*ckin' d*ck! And you might have ashy ankles, too!... When people are trying to come at you like the way this bullsh*t publication The Root... whether they photoshopped it they didn't [photoshop it], suck my f*ckin' d*ck." The discussion begins around the 1:15:00 mark.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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