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Toggle apologises for "racially insensitive" blackface portrayal

Shane Pow Toggle screen grab
Photo: Toggle screengrab

Singapore entertainment provider Toggle has apologised for an episode of a comedy show it aired, admitting that it was seen as “being racially insensitive by some users”.

In Episode 6 of the show “I Want To Be A Star”, local actor Shane Pow’s character is seen with an afro wig and his face painted black in an attempt to portray a black man. The scene drew condemnation from the internet.

“We’re sorry for the blackface portrayal. We take race-related issues very seriously and that portrayal should not have happened,” Anil Nihalani, head of Toggle, told Yahoo News Singapore in response to queries.

We’ve removed the offensive scenes from the programme and will ensure something like that doesn’t happen again,” he said. An earlier post on Toggle’s Twitter page also commented on the criticism.

However, users on Twitter were quick to respond with more comments. Some felt that Toggle, an online service provided by broadcaster Mediacorp, should have addressed the issue more directly.

“I Want To Be A Star” also stars veteran actor Chew Chor Meng as the owner of a talent agency specialising in calefare (minor) roles. Its description says the show “portrays the different walks of life in a light-hearted manner”.