Late last month, videos resurfaced of Ziegler, when she was nine years old, making a series of offensive remarks and gestures towards Asian people. They included putting on a stereotypical Asian accent and pulling the slant of her eyes back to look like she has more Asian features.
“There are a few videos some of you have seen from when I was about nine years old where I thought it was funny to mock people and accents,” Ziegler began in her apology. “I’m honestly ashamed and I’m truly sorry for my actions. The decisions I made then are absolutely not decisions I would make today.”
“What I thought was silly humour when I was younger I know was actually ignorant and racially insensitive. We have all made mistakes in our lives and as we grow up we educate ourselves and learn to be better people.”
“Growing up in the public eye has its challenges and also comes with the responsibility to set a good example which I failed to do in these videos,” Ziegler continued. “I hope you will forgive me and also hope you realise I have in fact grown up and would never act this way now."
“I know some of you are hurt and may not accept my apology but I want to ask all of you to please be kind to each other on socials,” she added. “There is no need to attack each other or try to defend me. I don’t want anyone to feel bullied and think we can all learn from my mistakes and spread love during these times when we need it most.”
