American actress Skai Jackson has publicly apologised to Kenyans after facing heavy criticism over comments she made about her visit to Kenya.
The actress said her earlier remarks were based on what she experienced in a small village during a 2018 trip and were never meant to describe the entire country.
She admitted that many people misunderstood her words and said she was sorry for the offence caused.
The controversy began after a video surfaced in which Jackson claimed that mirrors were expensive in the village she visited and that many children had never seen their own reflections until they looked at her phone.
The comments quickly spread online, with many Kenyans accusing her of painting an unfair and misleading picture of the country. Others argued that she should have made it clear she was talking about one community rather than Kenya as a whole.
In a new video shared on social media, Jackson said she had no intention of insulting Kenyans.
She explained that everything she mentioned came from conversations she had with teachers and children in the village.
The actress said she genuinely enjoyed her time in Kenya, describing the trip as a memorable experience, and insisted that she was not trying to make fun of anyone or spread negative stereotypes.
Her apology has received mixed reactions. Some Kenyans accepted her explanation, saying she deserved forgiveness because she clarified the context of her comments.
However, others believe celebrities should be more careful when speaking about other countries since their words can easily shape global perceptions and reinforce harmful stereotypes.
The debate has also sparked wider conversations about how African countries are portrayed internationally.
Many people have stressed that one person’s experience in a single village should never be used to represent an entire nation.
Jackson has now expressed hope that Kenyans will forgive her, saying she would never intentionally disrespect them or their country.