Use of Blackface to Painting Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé in Polish TV Impersonation Competitors Below Investigation, Says Spokesperson

Twoja Twarz Brzmi Znajomo, the Polish iteration of the worldwide actuality competitors Your Face Sounds Acquainted, will bear an inner investigation following the usage of blackface in a current episode.

Banjiay Group, the French mother or father firm of Endemol Shine Poland — the impersonation sequence’ native producer — condemned the looks of the traditionally racist observe originating within the U.S. of darkening one’s pores and skin on the present, alongside the usage of the N-word in a single contestant’s efficiency.

“Banijay condemns Endemol Shine Poland’s native execution of Your Face Sounds Acquainted, which contradicts our group’s world values,” a spokesperson shared in a press release to The Hollywood Reporter. “A subsequent inner investigation is underway and the suitable measures will probably be taken.”

The present, which originated in Spain in 2011, sees contestants impersonating numerous musicians by way of musical performances. In a current episode, two performers — singer Kuba Szmajkowski and actress Pola Gonciarza — appeared as Kendrick Lamar and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, respectively. Szmajkowski, who gained the second episode of the present’s nineteenth sequence, rapped Lamar’s hit “Humble” in a efficiency that noticed him use the N-word whereas carrying an imitation of cornrows. Gonciarza additionally darkened her pores and skin whereas performing Beyoncé’s “If I Had been a Boy.”

Because the episode aired, followers of each Lamar and Beyoncé have come out towards the contestants and present, condemning all for its racist depictions. Each Szmajkowski and Gonciarza revealed a number of posts to their social media capturing their criticized appears, although neither has addressed the controversy publicly.

This isn’t the primary time Twoja Twarz Brzmi Znajomo or the Your Face Sounds Acquainted franchise has created controversy by its use of blackface. In 2021, the Czech version banned its contestants from doing it, whereas that very same yr, actor Tomasz Ciachorowski carried out Kanye West’s “Stronger,” additionally in blackface, throughout an episode of the Polish spinoff.

In line with The Guardian, the Polish manufacturing firm launched a press release claiming it was “very stunned” by the backlash.

“The intention of every star acting on the present, in addition to of the entire manufacturing group, is to recreate the unique efficiency in essentially the most exact method, whereas honoring the unique artist,” the assertion continued.