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

91. As a mother I find it very disturbing that this fifteen year old girl was even in the club. I feel as though the parents and the club owner should share major responsibility in this situation. Fake id or whatever got her in, her parents should have been more aware of their daughters whereabouts. Bumping and grinding (or simulated rape) has been a part of dancing forever, not to say it is right, but hey! Parents are responsible for their children.

Posted at 12:58PM on May 11th 2007 by momoftwo

92. she may be 15yrs old, but at what point is she held resonsible for HER actions????? SHE got up there and acted like a tramp!!!!!!SHES the one at 15yrs old went into a 18 and older club!!!!! SHES THE ON WITH NO RESPECT FOR HERSELF!!!!!!!! BLAME THE TRAMP!!!!!!! and this shes just a child (COME ON ALREADY) THATS HOW WE GOT PARIS HILTON AND SHE'S 26 NOW AND STILL THINKS SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR HER ACTIONS (ROLE MODELS HA,HA, HA ) JUST TEACHING KIDS HOW TO ACT LIKE HER WITH OUT CONSEQENCES. AND WHAT KID WALKS OUT LOOKING LIKE THAT ANYWAY?????? SHE WAS OUT LOOKING FOR TROUBLE !!!! STOP ACTING LIKE ITS ALL RIGHT JUST BECAUSE YOUR A KID. AND AT WHAT POINT IS IT THE PARENTS FAULT TOO?????? LIKE THEY DONT KNOW THERE DAUGHTER ACTS LIKE THIS

Posted at 3:26PM on May 11th 2007 by smange

93. We really need to look at the facts people. First off none of this would be an issue at all if this club Zen did not allow this child into an enviroment where it was mandatory for everyone to be an 18 and over adult. It cannot get any simpler than that. Reguardless of how Akon behaved on stage, that is his perogative to do what he sees fit as a entertaining performance and as long as it is within the confines of the law. At the time of the incident Akon had no reason to believe this girl was a minor, because everyone at the concert, by law, was supposed to be 18 and over, so he can't get the blame for her being a minor and to call him a rapist is a little over the top. Now if he knew this girl was 15 then thats when we call him a rapist, but at the time of the occurance, to him, they were two consenting adults dancing very pervocatively. Secondly I know this might be shocking to you all, but in the Carribean they really do dance that way,even some Carribean artist come here to the USA and do the same thing Akon did, right here. So I can see where Akon would get the idea that he wasn't doning anything wrong and where there really wasn't a problem with the way he was dancing. Besides that not one person in the audience protested, even when you watch the video you can see and hear everyone cheering "THEM" on. So surely if this was such a violent act then someone would have stopped it. You can't really blame him for that. Alot of people commented about how she was getting banged around; but if you were to look at the stll pictures you will be able to see very clearly that this girl was endulging and enjoying every minute of it smiling and laughing the whole way thru. So either way, she enjoyed what she was doing, and she even said so on her myspace page, stating that she had the best time of her life. Yes Akon does do things on stage that some people may not like and if thats the case then don't go to his shows but there are people out there who can relate to what he does as an artist and like the way he performs on stage. Who is anyone to say anything about what he does on stage as long as it is not illegal. Still, I just don't see where Akon has done something wrong. From the facts that have surfaced in this case I have gathered that the problem should be between Club Zen and the parents of this young lady not Akon. Its not his fault that she decided to lie to her parents about where she was going, sneak into a 18 and over club so that she could hang out around a bunch of adults and then the club actually let her in. There is no way anyone can pin that on him, the dancing is not his fault either, the girl was dancing with him too, if she didn't like it there wouldn't be still picture shots of her smiling from ear to ear.

Posted at 6:27PM on May 11th 2007 by caboverde's finest

94. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF SOMEONE IS STANDING NAKED IN FRONT OF YOU BEGGING FOR IT, YOU AS AN ADULT IS THE ONE WHO IS RESPONIBLE FOR YOUR OWN ACTION. STOP THE WHINNING HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE SLEPT WITH HER IF HE DIDN'T GET BUSTED. SHAME ON YOU AKON.

Posted at 8:06AM on May 12th 2007 by Lorraine

95. Akon is just another example of those who have no slf control!! This has taken money out of his pocket. http://granitehardwaredesigns.com

Posted at 10:55AM on May 12th 2007 by Tracy Wright

96. Yeah, I don't think much people would want something like that done to their female relatives. But I guarantee, if this incident gets more backbone because of the media, she will try pursuing some money for it, then I bet her family won't give a damn. I can bet, that if most of your families had this happen, if you got some money out of it, you wouldn't really care what Akon did to her. You need to stop making up situations of what if it happened to you anyway. Obviously is she is 15, her parents don't have any control over her. If she was 51, it was her choice to be there. Don't act like she is an innocent victim. Just because Akon WAS a convict, don't mean he's the same. So, what if he's ugly, or if you hate his voice. This is just another way to TRY to destroy someone's career, just because you don't like him. I'm not a big fan, I'm not a fan of anybody really. But, you don't see me ranting about he should be prosecuted. Ok, let's say it did happen to my sister, 1st of she is to blame for going there...yeah, she got past security, not Akon's fault. What Akon did, he's a grown man, and she was supposed to be over 18, he didn't know. What is he gonna do, "oh, let me check ya ID before I fake f**k you". She took her ass in there, and she know she liked it, so what's the deal. He was man enough to step up and apologize, so what if he was afraid it would be catastrophic if he didn't. I probably would probably wanna beat his ass, but I ain't gone try to ruin his career. Just because I'm black, doesn't mean I'm ignorant.

Posted at 2:23PM on May 12th 2007 by BFBTrip

97. News Flash! African native "Akon" comes to America, makes it big in the music industry and becomes an instant "asshole"!

Posted at 2:29PM on May 12th 2007 by Sandra

98. Trish, i agree with you 100%. in march 2007 alone i saw a 13 yr old, and 15 yr old, both HIV positive, and the 13 yr old was pregnant. both contracted by sexual intercourse. But these were 2 separate cases. The 15 yr old couldn't get his 2 girlfriends to come in to get checked. Only GOD knows how many more he has been with, these are the only 2 he says he really cares about.

Posted at 9:54PM on May 12th 2007 by mosley

99. Everyone is so quick to jump down Akon's case. Now of course I dont advocate any type of sexual battery against minors or children,HOWEVER- Akon is just there to perform, not be the door keeper and check ids, thats up to the club owner to ensure that he is not allowing those underage into his establishment. Now as for the simulated sex act on stage.. so be it.. those that attended the show probably have his cd and wasnt expected him to be singing amazing grace..they know that his cd has adult content and for the to purchase tickets to his show, mean that they were in agreement with it and didnt find it offensive. so if they like it, i Love it!! hes there to entertain. I dont think he had any way of knowing that girl was 14/15 or whatever. she really didnt look like the daughter of a preacher scantily clad and bumping and grinding.i'm so sure they didnt teach her that at prayer meeting or bible study, so just give akon a break..please

Posted at 3:28PM on May 13th 2007 by chynamami

100. I dont think Akon is to blame at all . The club is supposed to be 18+, how was he supposed to know how old she was.AND where in the HELL were her parents!?!?! Why didnt they know she was out at an 18 and over club....Keep doing your thing Akon ... and to the comment that person left about him Being crusty and ugly..remember sweetie,if you are African american or not.. Whatever race you come from. We come in all shades ..And Black is Beautiful! ...I like you Akon,and I'm also over 18.

Posted at 12:15PM on May 14th 2007 by draia

101. It's not his fault!!! All he did was put on a show just like any other artist would, the fact the she was only 15 is something that the club and her parents should be responsible for. Her Parents for no keeping a better eye on there 15 yr old daughter and the club for not doing a better job at making sure she was old enough. This just looks like a quick way to make this man look bad an get his money.....

Posted at 10:56AM on May 14th 2007 by Steph

102. before saying who i believe was at fault, i shall elaborate from s/one who went to the event.(yes i am "trini") firstly, akon invited girls to dance, by themselves,in order to win a trip to africa. then he claimed he was "africa" after choosing the most attractive dancer - Danah. when the crowd started booing him, he retracted and said he and danah will compete and if she is the better dancer she will win whatever she wants! *roll eyes* when ppl chanted her name, he decided (for some reason) that he should come under her, treat her like a rag doll, and then proclaimed "well i obviously won!" she was left on the stage in which the dj helped her up and she was visibly upset. I see after, she is obviously a wild child who now proclaims with all the attention that she enjoyed it. obviously she is young and stupid. but whether she was 18 (when one can drink and club in trinidad) or not, innocent or wild, the person broguht on stage was obviously fooled and mistreated,and so i see AKON AT FAULT. danah however just needs to grow up! I can't understand why in akon's apology he said he tried to ensure noone under 18 was admitted. I would LOVE to know what measures he placed for this to happen. Finally- waw this long- i would like to know why did it take him so long to apologize,ie. weeks following the event and after he lost a contract. I believe he did know he was at fault, because initially the clip that is being circulated so much was initially placed by fellow trinis on websites such as youtube.com and was taken down by akon's label for non-specific reasons. HELLLOOO!!

Posted at 1:23PM on May 14th 2007 by trini_angel

103. As a person of color, this event is embarrasing. Akon is the disgusting, filthy, despicable stereotype of Black men which in some cases, is true. Regardless of her age or whether she "looked" like she was enjoying it, Akon would not have tolerated that happening to his daughter, sister, mother, or any female family member. But it's OK for him to exhibit that behavior? I hope who or whatever spawned him is embarrassed and if he is a father (I hope not!), then expect more of that behavior from any sons he will have, most likely, from four or five different women, including his "wife".

Posted at 7:59AM on May 17th 2007 by Janie777

104. P.S. to my comments above. When did it become almost impossible for Black rappers to sing/rap without performing simulated sex acts or grabbing their crotch. Just what does that have to do with their music?!

Posted at 8:06AM on May 17th 2007 by Janie777

105. I think the girl is at fault for this. She obviously knew what she was getting into and she snuck into a club that was for 18+. I've seen pictures and video of what happend and there were even moments when she was on top of him. She showed no signs of resistance. I also saw an interview with her father and he said she was forced. If he would watch the video it is crystal clear she was willing.

Posted at 9:38PM on Jun 4th 2007 by Brisa