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- Jesy Nelson released her first solo single, “Boyz”, on Friday.
- Nelson, 30, denied criticism that she was “Blackfishing” in the clip.
- Nelson left UK girl group “Little Mix” in December 2020 after nine years.
Jesy Nelson has denied accusations that she was “Blackfishing” after releasing her first solo song, “Boyz”.
The former “Little Mix” singer released the new track and accompanying music video 10 months after leaving the UK girl group on Friday.
The video, which featured Nicki Minaj and an appearance by Diddy, was viewed over 3.7 million times in one day but also drew criticism from fans online.
According to Vautour and Twitter posts, some felt that Nelson was engaged in moon fishing – or when a non-black person alters their appearance to appear black or racially ambiguous – in the video. The term was coined by freelance writer Wanna Thompson, who wrote a Twitter feed on the issue in 2018.
As Vulture’s Douglas Greenwood notes, Nelson “sings, probably in a Blaccent”, with the lyrics “So hood, so good, so damn taboo / Know you know how to please me. “
Nelson shared his thoughts on Blackfishing’s suggestions to Vulture.
“The whole time I was in Little Mix, I never got any of that stuff. And then I got out of [the band] and people were saying it all of a sudden, “Nelson said.” I wasn’t on social media at the time, so I left my team [deal with it], because that was when I had just left. But I mean, I love black culture. I like black music. That’s all I know; that’s what I grew up on. ”
When asked if she deleted fan Instagram comments accusing her of Blackfishig, Nelson said she was unaware of the comments and “maybe it was my team.”
The article reported that Nelson had canceled two follow-up calls with Vulture to discuss moon fishing and identity in more detail.
Band members Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall, Perrie Edwards, of Little Mix, pose for photographers as they arrive at the Global Gift Gala in London on Thursday March 7, 2019.
Joel C Ryan / Invision / AP
Nelson’s publicist later told Vulture in a statement on his behalf: “I take all of these comments seriously. I would never do anything intentionally to make myself appear racially ambiguous, which is why I was initially shocked that the term was addressed to me. “
Representatives for Nelson did not immediately respond to Insider’s request for comment.
Nelson is not the first celebrity to be accused of Blackfishing. Recently, rapper Iggy Azalea recently defended himself against criticism while Rita Ora faced a backlash in 2020.
Insider’s Dana Givens reported that Blackfishing could have real-world consequences. While white influencers can “Blackfish” for profit, black creators still struggle to get the same financial compensation.
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