9-1-1 star Ryan Guzman recently faced backlash after recently discovered tweets from wife Chrysti Ane revealed that she used the N-word. Ane has since apologized for the tweets, but Guzman came to his wife’s defense shortly after, admitting that he himself frequently uses racial slurs around his friends. This caused even more controversy, as some of Guzman’s co-stars came forward to condemn his comments. Now, Guzman has taken to social media to address his initial statements.
In his most recent Instagram video, Ryan Guzman apologized for his original video, saying that his statements came from a place of negativity and that he misspoke:
I came from an angry place. I couldn’t think straight, and I misspoke.
Guzman also stated that he won’t condone the use of the N-word by any non-Black person and mentioned that it’s not his word to use:
I do not condone the use of the N-word by any non-Black person. That includes all Latinos. That’s not our word.
While the actor did extend an apology during the video, he also questioned why criticism was being aimed at him and not other celebrities like Tekashi 6ix9ine and Cardi B:
People that are coming up to me, keep that same energy for Cardi B, Tekashi 6ix9ine, Fat Joe, all them Latinos have been using for years upon years and getting passes. I apologize to those that I offended and misrepresented myself by using the wrong term. I stand by my try, fail, learn, grow state of mind. And I will continue to grow, continue to help out the community. So I hope everybody has a great day, enjoys their life, and let’s help out our black brothers and sisters going through this horrible difficult time.
As mentioned, Ryan Guzman’s co-stars were quick to rebuke his comments. In a Twitter post, Oliver Stark rejected his castmate’s sentiments, saying there’s no excuse for using the N-word:
9-1-1’s Aisha Hinds also weighed in on the controversy and called Guzman’s statements indefensible:
Many of Ryan Guzman’s fans have also condemned his actions, with some even calling for the actor to be dismissed from 9-1-1. Guzman joined the cast in Season 2 as firefighter Edmundo Diaz and is currently expected to return for Season 4. As of right now, Fox, the series’ home network, has yet to comment on the situation.
As most know, Guzman’s comments arrive in the midst of protests happening across the U.S. and some places around the globe. These demonstrations followed the death of George Floyd, an unarmed Black man who died after one of the officers that arrested him held his knee on Floyd’s neck for eight minutes.
Right now, it remains to be seen how Fox might address Ryan Guzman’s comments, so be sure to keep it here at CinemaBlend for more updates as they arrive.
