Katt Williams has expressed his regret for past jokes he made about late music icon Michael Jackson, as he believes they played into a damaging narrative against Black men.
During an interview at the Vulture festival, Williams took accountability for going too hard at Jackson, although he didn’t specify the context or nature of the jokes he was referring to.
“I shouldn’t have, honestly,” the outspoken comic admitted while speaking about his material pertaining to the late King of Pop.
Comedian Katt Williams attends the ‘High Stakes: Mayweather v. Berto’ fight presented by Showtime at MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 12, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Bryan Steffy/Getty Images for Showtime
“Like, some of these things are the reason that the enemy decides to go ahead and let you be famous. It’s your ability to tear down your own kind no matter how high they are. On the other hand, my job is to be funny first and to voice the opinion of a group that doesn’t get to have their opinion out there, right? So as a Black man, if you don’t love yourself, you don’t love me.”
Williams attributed his fixation on Jackson to his own mental health and being upset at Jackson, although he didn’t specify the root of his unease. “Those were the jokes of a guy that was hurt, you know?” Williams added. “By an icon.”
Michael Jackson arrives at the Santa Barbara County courthouse April 29, 2005 in Santa Maria, California. Jackson is charged in a 10-count indictment with molesting a boy, plying him with liquor and conspiring to commit child abduction, false imprisonment and extortion.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
The comedian also revealed that Jackson’s sister, Janet Jackson, had given him grace despite the jokes he had made regarding her late brother.
“The fact that years later, Janet Jackson said she still loved me despite the jokes that I told about her brother is probably one of the most magnificent things, you know? Just because, I say a lot of hilarious sh*t. But it costs me every time, you know? Like, I’m never unscathed in these situations.”
Janet Jackson poses in the press room during the 37th Annual Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Microsoft Theater on November 05, 2022 in Los Angeles, California.
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Katt Williams has proved to be a lightening rod throughout 2024, beginning with his viral interview on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay podcast. During the episode, the comedian was particularly candid, airing his grievances about various celebrities, including Steve Harvey, Kevin Hart, Sean “Diddy” Combs, and more.
See Katt Williams speak on Michael Jackson below.
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