Rob Thomas Apologizes After Making Racist Joke In Australia

Matchbox Twenty frontman Rob Thomas tried his hand at making a joke while on tour at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Australia, on Saturday and failed. The musician is on a solo tour promoting his new album The Great Unknown. 

Rob Thomas’ Racist Joke And Apology

Thomas was battling jet lag as he took the stage before thousands of people, and he had some advice to beat the jet lag: alcohol.

Thomas is heard saying in a video posted by TMZ, “When you get on the plane on your way here, you start drinking. And then I drink till I think I’m Australian. And then I keep drinking till I think I’m a black Australian.”

The comment received few cheers and a few boos.

“Don’t be racist,” he followed.

Thomas quickly retracted his joke and apologized on his personal Facebook:

“I would like to take an opportunity to further explain the comments I made in Melbourne last night.
First, please understand that I did not intend to make a joke ABOUT race. I have seen people comment that after coming here for so long I should know that there is a connection between the indigenous peoples of Australia and a stereotype involving drinking. Embarrassingly, I truly didn’t.
The joke I made was meant to be at no one’s expense but my own. I made a comment about drinking so much on the long flight over that i started to think i was something i’m not.”

Read the full apology below.