Remember the singer, Choo Hao Ren who recently received backlash on social media after the use of brownface in a music video?
Backstory, Choo Hao Ren best known for his music under the moniker Haoren, released a music video on the 24th of January titled ‘White Doll’, A collaboration with Snowbebe a skin-whitening brand. The music video caught the attention of thousands on social media after featuring Malaysian Influencer Qiu Wen, who exhibited a darker skin tone by the use of brown make-up. The story of the music video follows Qiu Wen as she is bullied by her classmates for having a darker skin tone. Qiu Wen’s character then find gifts in her drawer, which… yes, you guessed it, Snowbebe products. Which was in fact left by Choo, her secret admirer. The story then unfolds revealing Qui Wen as a girl who ends up having a lighter skin tone.
People then took to social media to share their thoughts on the music video, which resulted in the music video being removed from YouTube followed by an apology from the singer who apologises to “everyone who feels uncomfortable in the story”.
According to NME, the singer continued to say, “I want to clarify that I definitely didn’t mean to offend anyone,” he wrote. “It is only because of the plot needs the makeup to perform the tanned skin that based on true story.”
Following his apology, the singer then decided to go the extra mile by acknowledging his actions and learning by his mistakes with what he does best. Yes, with music!
Choo followed his apology by releasing a music video titled ‘Lovely Doll’ with lyrics and visuals that showcases his genuine apology for his recent actions.
The music video has since hit #1 on Trending, with Choo confronting his actions head first.
The song starts with Choo saying, “My Bad, there’s so much I wanna say”. He continues to sing, “There’s no need to change your originality for somebody else, everyone is unique and wonderful in our own way”.
“Let’s educate our friends who discriminate, let’s all learn together, we’re all Malaysia’s baby.” “Say no to colourism, let’s all learn together” He continues singing in his song.
Qiu Wen jumps into the music video with a verse which reads, “I love you for who you are, you’re perfect in my heart”. The catchy tune also features Choo, acknowledging his faults by singing, “In fact, I humbly accept all criticism, I’m learning and I’m listening as part of growing.”
“So we all can learn from my incident” He adds.
The song as well as the music video showcases more meaningful, and apologetic lyrics that showcases an apologetic side of Haoren and Qui Wen that we don’t often see on media.
