Demi Lovato drew criticism on Twitter on Friday, February 24, after she posted the results of a DNA test and said she’s “one percent African.”
“I did a DNA test and found out I’m mainly Spanish, with Native America, SCANDINAVIAN (which I had NO idea), Irish, BRITISH…. And I’m 1% African!!!!” the 24-year-old singer tweeted. She then shared a photo of the full results, adding that she hadn’t done a DNA test before and, instead, “found out from my uncle about certain places.”
Many of Lovato’s followers criticized her for pointing out her African ancestry. “So if you’re from africa…. why are you white,” one fan replied, quoting an iconic line from the movie Mean Girls. A second user tweeted a GIF of Jimmy Fallon saying, “Please do not do that,” while another shared a picture of Scream Queens‘ Emma Roberts saying, “Thank you for making that announcement that no one cared about.”
I did a DNA test and found out I'm mainly Spanish, with Native American, SCANDINAVIAN (which I had NO idea), Irish, BRITISH….
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) February 25, 2017
And I'm 1% African!!!!
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) February 25, 2017
I didn't do a DNA test a few years ago, I only found out from my uncle about certain places
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) February 25, 2017
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) February 25, 2017
so if you're from africa…. why are you white
— soph (@greylovxto) February 25, 2017
https://twitter.com/cxcope/status/835349772806541313
— a. ♡ (@shippingtay) February 25, 2017
— Reclaiming My Thighs (@divaTy) February 25, 2017
— ash (@ashren) February 25, 2017
The Disney alum quickly noticed the criticism, prompting her to tell fans she didn’t intend to offend anyone. “Just thought it was cool and totally random. Some of y’all are mean af. Twitter sucks,” she wrote. Responding to one critic, she added, “I understand and respect your point of view and didn’t mean to offend anyone.”
Just thought it was cool and totally random. Some of y'all are mean af. Twitter sucks. ?
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) February 25, 2017
.@elielcruz I also included the other nationalities. But I understand and respect your point of view and didn't mean to offend anyone.
— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) February 25, 2017
Lovato briefly quit Twitter and Instagram last year in an attempt to avoid internet trolls, but vowed to continue using her Snapchat account. “I like Snapchat cause I don’t have to see what some of y’all say,” she wrote in June 2016. “But why do people actually give a f–k what I say?? Like if you don’t care [then] gtfo haha.”
Less than a day later, the “Confident” singer returned to social media. “F–k this.. I’m back bitches. And I’m coming back more honest than ever,” she tweeted. “I love my Lovatics so f–king much..I love my Lovatics too much to leave them over some lame ass haters.. What was I thinking?!”