Blake Shelton apologizes for tweets, denies being hateful
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Country star Blake Shelton apologized on Twitter for offending people with his language, but denied being hateful after several old tweets referencing gays and non-English speakers surfaced online.
Screenshots of years-old tweets posted on his Twitter account, which he controls, prompted criticism online that "The Voice" judge was sexist to women and stereotyped gay people and non-English speakers.
Shelton posted a note Wednesday saying he has no tolerance for hate of any kind, but said that his humor could be at times "inappropriate and immature." A representative for Shelton did not immediately return an email seeking clarification and a Twitter spokesperson said they don't comment about individual accounts.
Gay rights organization GLAAD asked him in 2011 to apologize for a tweet they called a joke about anti-gay violence.
Blake Shelton:
"Standing in line at a coffee shop in LA talking with the man in front of me. He orders a skinny caramel latte. I couldn't tell he was gay!!!" 3/11/11
"I was 19 years old when my heart first got broken.. I'm over it now but I wonder what that fat ugly bitch is up to...." 10/10/09
"I think the bartender lastnight put some of that date rape drug in my drink...... OMG!! He was like soooo cute too!!!" 9/4/09
"Nothing says 'Happy 4th of July' like a airport shuttle bus driver that can't speak a FUCKING word of English!!!
To the terminal Omar!!!!" 7/4/10
"Wish the dickhead in the next room would either shut up or learn some English so I would atleast know what he's planning to bomb!!" 3/27/11
"Grown men who wear Chuck Taylor's may as well write on their fore head 'Cucumbers turn me on!!!'....." 7/8/10
"Question for my gay followers.... Are skittles y'all's favorite candy?" 1/15/10
"I'm not gay but I think ellen is hot!...Wait a minute.. What?!" 6/17/09
"Deer stand thinkin..... By Blake Shelton
How can I be attracted to lesbians?...
I'm not gay...." 12/1/09
"Flying home to sleep with two young blonde and black haired bitches...." 3/13/11
Sara Ritsch contributed to this report.
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Copyright 2016 The Gayly - 8/17/2016 @ 5:36 p.m. CDT