Maddie Ziegler has apologised after “ignorant and racially insensitive” videos of her resurfaced online.
The 17-year-old addressed the old posts on her Instagram Story on Tuesday, stating that she was “truly sorry” for her past actions.
“There are a few videos some of you have seen from when I was about 9 years old where I thought it was funny to mock people and accents,” the professional dancer wrote.
“I’m honestly ashamed, and I’m truly sorry for my actions. The decisions I made then are absolutely not decisions I would make today.”
“What I thought was silly humour when I was younger I know was actually ignorant and racially insensitive. We have all made mistakes in our lives and as we grow up we educate ourselves and learn to be better people,” she continued.
The former Dance Moms star admitted that growing up in the public eye “has its challenges”, but that it also comes with a responsibility to “set a good example which I failed to do.”
“I hope you will forgive me and also hope you realise I have in fact grown up and would never act this way now.”
“I know some of you are hurt and may not accept my apology, but I want to ask all of you to please be kind to each other on socials,” Maddie asked her fans.
“There is no need to attack each other or try to defend me. I don’t want anyone to feel bullied and think we can all learn from my mistakes and spread love during these times when we need it most.”
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