‘I’m Still Here’ Oscar nominee Fernanda Torres apologizes after blackface comedy sketch resurfaces online
Best Actress Oscar nominee Fernanda Torres has apologized for appearing in blackface as part of a comedy sketch on Brazilian television in 2008.
“Almost 20 years ago, I appeared in blackface in a comedy sketch from a Brazilian TV show,” Torres said in a statement. “I am very sorry for this. I’m making this statement as it is important for me to address this swiftly to avoid further pain and confusion.”
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She continued, “At that time, despite the efforts of Black movements and organizations, the awareness of the racist history and symbolism of blackface hadn’t yet entered the mainstream public consciousness in Brazil. Thanks to better cultural understanding and important but incomplete achievements in this century, it’s very clear now in our country and everywhere that blackface is never acceptable.”
Torres concluded her statement by saying she hoped the conversation about blackface and racial blindspots sparked further evolution within society. “This is an important conversation we must continue to have with one another in order to prevent the normalization of racist practices then and now. As an artist and global citizen, and from my open heart, I remain attentive and committed to the pursuit of vital changes needed to live in a world free from inequality and racism,” she said. A publicist for I’m Still Here said there would be no additional comment beyond the statement, which was originally provided to Deadline.
The sketch in question aired on the popular Brazilian primetime comedy series Fantastico. The clip initially resurfaced online before the Oscar nominations were announced — an early tweet with an image of Torres in blackface posted on Jan. 16 — but gained momentum over the weekend. As Deadline noted in its piece and as confirmed to Gold Derby, Torres addressed the criticism “proactively” after the outlet broached the subject. It is but one of several controversies that have ignited online this awards season, including renewed criticism of Oscar nominee Zoe Salda?a, who once played Nina Simone in a biopic on the singer and later apologized for taking the role.
The Oscars have grappled with blackface controversy before, directly and indirectly. When Billy Crystal hosted the ceremony in 2012, he was denounced for his impersonation of Sammy Davis Jr., which partially relies on Crystal wearing blackface makeup. In 2020, frequent Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel also apologized for wearing makeup to play NBA legend Karl Malone and Oprah Winfrey during episodes of The Man Show between 1999 and 2003. Several white actors have also won Oscars for playing people of color, including Laurence Oliver, who wore blackface for the film Othello.
Torres won the Golden Globe Award for Best Drama Actress in January, and her victory there sparked the actress’s historic run to an Oscar nomination. She’s only the second Brazilian actress nominated for Best Actress, following her mother, Fernanda Montenegro. Powered no doubt by Torres’s performance, I’m Still Here also received an unlikely Best Picture nomination last week. The film is now out in limited release via Sony Pictures Classics.
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