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Being a celebrity in 2015 is a lot different than it was 20 years ago. Heck, even 10 years ago. Today, the Internet and social media play a significant role in growing, maintaining or burning to the ground a public figure’s fanbase. With so much personal information accessible and often provided to the public, a celebrity has to be careful with their words. Even when they mean no harm, they can inadvertently share an opinion that might be unpopular or even downright ugly.

In the last few years, we’ve all become familiar with the cycle. In an interview/tweet/rant, a notable figure either talks out of turn, shares an unpopular opinion, or speaks before thinking. Hours later, an apology will be issued on their behalf after being side-eyed at best, or dragged at the worst, by the public. This often happens, leaving people shocked, appalled and unforgiving when someone on TV, radio, or film puts their foot in their mouths. At this point, it’s assumed that these filthy rich folks know better, so they should do better.

Recently, we’ve seen the public turn on Matt Damon, who has enraged fans twice in the last month. First, when he tried to explain diversity to Effie Brown, a successful Black producer, and just last week when he suggested that gay actors would have more success if they stayed in the closet. People were pissed. After the diversity comments, Damon issued this apology:

“I believe deeply that there need to be more diverse filmmakers making movies. I love making movies. It’s what I have chosen to do with my life and I want every young person watching ‘Project Greenlight’ to believe that filmmaking is a viable form of creative expression for them too.

My comments were part of a much broader conversation about diversity in Hollywood and the fundamental nature of ‘Project Greenlight’ which did not make the show. I am sorry that they offended some people, but, at the very least, I am happy that they started a conversation about diversity in Hollywood. That is an ongoing conversation that we all should be having.”

After his apology, people continued to rage because he apologized for offending “some,” rather than for what he said. Would those same individuals have been pleased if he had issued this apology?

“I’m so sorry for the comments I have made. I believe in diversity and am committed to hiring diverse people in casting as well as on the crew.”

Nope. He would have been accused of just saying any ol’ thing to get us off his back and into the theater to see The Martian. He spoke what he felt to be the truth. And while he was hoping that people would respect the fact that he actually stood by his comments instead of running away from them as many do, Damon was further reprimanded.

I’m not sure there’s a way to please everyone once your words have sparked outrage. At this point, is there anything someone in the limelight can say to make amends to the public after they’ve said something regrettable? Is there a way to get that bad taste out of your mouth?

It doesn’t seem like it. Just ask Michael B. Jordan, who people laid into after comments he made in a recent interview with GQ.

“I told my team after I finished ‘Chronicle’ that I only want to go out for roles that were written for White characters. Me playing the role will make it what it is.”

In essence, the actor, who became widely known for portraying Oscar Grant in Fruitvale Station, is not trying to play Black characters. This resonated poorly with the public, who took it as Jordan turning his back on his community.

He then went on to comment on his Black fans and their anger with him over unfounded rumors that he was dating Kendall Jenner.

“They see White and Black. I don’t. Kendall’s a friend of mine, you know. I don’t know her, like, that well, but I know her enough. People’s perspective on that is what it is. I don’t f**king know. I don’t live my life to make other people happy. It’s so weird, though, right? A lot of Black fans were feeling like, ‘Oh, my God, he should have been with a Black woman’ and that whole thing. I get it, but on the other hand it’s, like, relax. You know—it’s 2015. It’s okay! People can like one another, not necessarily from the same history or culture or whatever the f**k it is. It’s just the new world, you know what I mean?”

Claiming color blindness is never going to sit well with people.

Later in the interview, Jordan went on to dig a bigger hole for himself, referring to women as “females” whom he has been emotionally unavailable for. Needless to say, when this trinity of questionable statements hit the web, Black Twitter joined together to rip him a new one. In no time flat, Jordan issued the most eloquent apology he could.

When it reached the masses, many rejected it, stating that it was written by his PR team and was simply damage control in preparation for the press run for his new movie, Creed.  Jordan hasn’t said anything about the matter since, and that’s probably because he knows there’s no point. Especially when responses to his apology drew comments like “He’s full of sh*t. He threw black woman under the bus,” and “The damage is done. Once you reveal yourself to be “lost” you’re thrown in the bushes by black women (and rightly so).” People have made up their minds. They’re upset with him, and there’s nothing he can do about it at this point.

People say stupid things, articles get edited for shock value, words get taken out of context–these things happen. We are in an outrage culture, and some of the outrage is justified. But at times, I think we take glee in dragging people for their opinions, and we put them on public trial for their word crimes. Jordan offered a gracious and seemingly genuine apology. He acknowledged the vitriol behind his statements, apologized to his fanbase, and stated his intentions to do better because he understands that words have power.

To me, his apology was top notch and it allows me to move on from putting him in the box of celebs who I don’t see it for anymore. For now, it’s water under the bridge. And while I didn’t agree with Damon’s comments either, his apology was enough for me to lower my raised eyebrow. To be rid of rage.

They’re both human.

Despite the criticism we throw their way, celebrities are complex people too. They say regrettable things at times. They may even say vicious things that they truly believe in. Just like the rest of us. We will always be let down when we put them on a pedestal and expect flawlessness that they can never deliver. So while their honesty can be jarring at times, it’s something I would prefer.

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