Alia Shawkat Apologizes For 2016 Interview Where She Used The N-Word

Actress Alia Shawkat, known for her roles in Search Party and Arrested Development, apologized on Monday for using a racial slur in a 2016 interview. In the interview that has resurfaced, Shawkat quoted the N-word from Drake’s song “We Made It.”

The interview of Shawkat was taken at South by Southwest while Shawkat was promoting her TBS show, Search Party. The festival has since removed the interview with Shawkat from their YouTube channel and website.

The actress shared an apology statement on her social media platforms. She began, “I am writing this to address a video that was posted of me quoting a song with the N-word in it as part of an interview from 4 years ago. I am deeply sorry and I take full responsibility. It was a careless moment, one I’m ashamed and embarrassed by, but vow to continue to learn from.”

She concluded her statement saying, “We as non black people must all take responsibility for the inactivity we’ve been comfortable to sit with for so long- that has gotten us here. Silence is violence, and so are the words we irresponsibly throw out. I plan to stay engaged and learn from my friends who are helping me understand. And to take on this fight for justice with an active mind and open heart. I thank you for reading.”

During the period of national unrest that has followed the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Shawkat has been vocal about the Black Lives Matter movement on her social media accounts. She posted a “Defund the Police” image on her Instagram and also remembered Breonna Taylor on her account last Friday.