Akon Apologizes -- I Didn't Know She Was Underage

AkonTMZ has just received a statement from R&B singer Akon in response to the media firestorm over his onstage simulated sex romp with a 15-year-old during a concert in Trinidad a few weeks ago:

"First, and most important to me, I want to sincerely apologize for the embarrassment and any pain I've caused to the young woman who joined me on-stage, her family and the Trinidad community for the events at my concert in Port of Spain on April 12th.

It was never my intention to embarrass or take advantage of my fans in any way, especially those under the age of 18. That is why we tried to make sure that the club did not admit anyone under 18 in the audience. Somehow, that standard was not met.

Again, I apologize to those concerned and to all my fans and I pledge to all that we will strive to make sure this type of incident does not happen again."



Filed under: Music

Reader Comments

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46. SO maybe this is a good wake-up call for my sex lovin brothers and sisters - time to realize that a concert is singing and dancing...simulate the sex backstage or on the bus....if I wanted to see a porno I'd hit the pay-per-view button in my room!

Posted at 8:26PM on May 9th 2007 by Zil

47. Looks like a bunch of animals to me. That is no form of art that is no talent that is no dance You people need serious therapy

Posted at 8:29PM on May 9th 2007 by Janice

48. Verizon signed this freak to a contract.....This is whats wrong with America
This is THE CAUSE OF OUR DOWNFALL

Posted at 8:29PM on May 9th 2007 by Janice

49. WHERE'S AL SHARPTON NOW!!!!!!!!!!

Posted at 8:34PM on May 9th 2007 by Janice

50. If his lyrics did include what people have said they include, wouldn't you think that the concert itself might be a little questionable? If the crowd was supposed to be 18+, then that's a mistake right there of the club and that girl wasn't properly representing her family either (i'm guessing that they're religious given the father's occupation). Would I go to his show? No, well other than the fact that I hadn't heard his music before, if I had I probably wouldn't be interested in seeing him perform based on his music. There are some who do... That's a personal choice. Everyone has their own right to NOT listen to music, NOT to read books, and NOT attend concerts that they disagree with. At first I didn't make the connection between this and the Tara Reid video. Another reason not to go...

I get frustrated when I hear about sexual assaults and hear "well what was the girl wearing/what was she doing" etc. Its unfair to automatically place the blame on the female. But there are some cases (like this one) where you can't take all responsibility from someone who put themselves in a situation. The moment she was told to get on stage, that should have been a warning right there not to go, especially if the audience heard the music. I wouldn't be so enthusiastic to jump on stage with an artist whose music I wasn't sure about. I think the biggest thing is that the parents should have been more involved in the girl's life. Want a trend? Parents not taking responsibility for their children.

Last thing, if his music is in fact how it has been described here, then Verizon was wrong to hire him in the first place, or they were stupid and didn't do proper research. They didn't can him because they were outraged by his actions, they did it to save their butts. Kinda like how pepsi canned Madonna.

Posted at 8:50PM on May 9th 2007 by Valerie

51. its not his fault that someone f'd up and let underage hookers in the club. where tha hell are her parents anyway

Posted at 8:53PM on May 9th 2007 by Joel

52. I don't know about this. I guess I'm on the fence for this one. There was no way for him to know how old she was. On the other hand, he should probably tone down his act a little. I have been to countless concerts and I have never seen such a display, nor would it make my experience more enjoyable if I did. He has plenty of time to turn things around so that he can start getting endorsements again. Verizon should have done their research and they would have known what he does in his act and could have addressed it during the contract negotiations. Akon wants to come off as this rough and tumble ex-convict and that is not necessary for him to be a successful International star.

Posted at 9:14PM on May 9th 2007 by Bird

53. by medusa5841


She will be an Adult when she moves out of our house. I'm sure your moma told you ass the same damn thing. I am in no way an ignorant mother that you or your mother. I trust my daughters and sometime kids do bad things. So with that Ms. Bitch mind you own damn business. Make sure you take a good look at yourself in the mirror in the morning.

White bad mother...Pushed her 2 beautiful children in the river and blamed a black man. Susan Smith. Is this you

Posted at 9:17PM on May 9th 2007 by MaMaMe

54. She is not the nicest 15 yr old that I have met.



http://www.hollywoodgrind.com/?p=5355

Posted at 9:18PM on May 9th 2007 by MaMaMe

55. 2007 by it was an honest mistake



Some of those lyrics are so stupid I can't even understand what they are trying to say.

Posted at 9:18PM on May 9th 2007 by MaMaMe

56. MaMaMe

I copied and pasted them all…. I do keep up on what my kids listen to and weather we like it or not this will make more kids listen to him

Posted at 9:24PM on May 9th 2007 by it was an honest mistake

57. http://www.myspace.com/divatrixie

That is her myspace and she says she is 19

Posted at 9:42PM on May 9th 2007 by it was an honest mistake

58. Good for him for speaking out - but she didnt looked too bothered by the entire thing while on stage. And what was a 15 year old girl doing in an adult club dressed like an adult anyway??? She is probably behaving older than 15 on a regular basis. What a headache.

Posted at 10:58PM on May 9th 2007 by Dyanna Maxwell

59. It was just a bad choice on Akon's part. It doesn't matter the young woman's age (although I agree she certainly had no business being there),it was the act that was being simulated. It was a very vulgar display.

Posted at 11:26PM on May 9th 2007 by anonymous

60. I do not agree with ppl blaming the girl for what happened because of her age and her for being in a 18+ club but... she shouldn have known better by agreeing to go on stage with Akon knowing that he does that kinda thing in many of his shows. But also... ppl accusing him of simulated rape is laughable. At some point she was riding him! That's simulated rape to you?! Come on, she agreed to it and enjoyed it at some point for her to be on top of him and riding him. On the other hand, Akon's actions were totally inapropriate and should be punished for that in some kinda of way but accuse him of simulating rape is totally wrong.

Posted at 11:38PM on May 9th 2007 by melanie

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