Alia Shawkat has spoken out after a video of her using the 'n-word' resurfaced.
The 31-year-old actress, who is believed to be a close friend of Brad Pitt, said she is 'ashamed and embarrassed' after the clip from 2016 saw her singing the lyrics of a Drake song in which the racial slur is used.
Alia has now released a long apology after an interview with her at South by Southwest saw her use a line from Drake's 2013 hit 'We Made It' which featured Soulja Boy.
In the apology, Alia admits that she shouldn't have said it as its “never a word to be used by someone who is not black.”
The actress shared a multi-slide Instagram in which she laid out her thoughts and an apology amid Black Lives Matter protests on both sides of the Atlantic.
Alia wrote: "I am writing this to address a video of me quoting a song with the n-word in it as part of an interview 4 years ago.
"I am deeply sorry and take full responsibility. It was a careless moment, one I am ashamed and embarrassed by, but vow to learn from.
"I regret using a word that carries so much pain and history to black people, as it was never a word to be used by someone who is not black.”
She continued to lay bare the learning she has done in recent days: "I have been learning so much about what it truly means to be an ally. The voices of black people must be amplified and heard clearly.
"As an Arabic woman, who can pass for white, I’m working hard to process this nuanced access I’ve been afforded and I realise how important it is to be hyper vigilant in the spaces I exist in."
In the video in question, Alia is seen answering a question with: "Everyone was so excited when we all came back.
"Like we were all in the penthouse together and everyone was looking around like, ‘N***a we made it.’ Everyone was so excited.”
In her apology, Alia said: "I’m sorry my ignorance has lead to this moment.”
In recent days, she has been posting her support for Black Lives Matter on Instagram, following the death of George Floyd after he was kneeled on his neck by a white Minneapolis Police officer.
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