American tennis star Taylor Townsend has apologized after coming under fire for comments she made on social media about Chinese food. The 29-year-old who is in the Chinese city of Shenzhen for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, had posted videos on Instagram in which she talked about dishes that featured frogs, turtles, and sea cucumbers, saying: 'This is the craziest thing I've ever seen... Imma have to talk to HR... [eating] turtle and bullfrog is WILD.' She quickly faced backlash on both English and Chinese social media platforms. Townsend, who is the world's top-ranked doubles player, later apologized, stating: 'There's no excuse, there's no words and, for me, I will be better.' In a follow-up video, she acknowledged her privilege as a professional athlete to experience different cultures and expressed her appreciation for the tournament. Her initial comments and the subsequent backlash highlighted the sensitivity surrounding cultural differences, especially when it comes to food. Townsend and her teammates are scheduled to face Kazakhstan in the quarter-finals on Thursday.
Tennis Star Taylor Townsend Apologizes for Cultural Misstep Over Chinese Food
Tennis Star Taylor Townsend Apologizes for Cultural Misstep Over Chinese Food
American tennis player Taylor Townsend faced backlash for her comments about Chinese dishes on Instagram. After criticism, she issued an apology, recognizing her oversight in cultural respect.
American tennis pro Taylor Townsend has issued an apology after making remarks about traditional Chinese dishes on social media. While at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Shenzhen, Townsend described dishes including frogs and turtles as 'crazy' and 'wild,' which drew backlash online. She acknowledged her mistake, emphasizing the importance of cultural respect and understanding.
