Taylor Townsend Apologizes for Social Media Videos Calling Chinese Food 'Crazy'
Tennis star Taylor Townsend apologized for making disparaging comments about Chinese food in a series of social media videos.
Townsend is in Shenzhen, China, to represent the United States in the Billie Jean King Cup, the women's team event. While at a team dinner, she posted videos on Instagram of a buffet while focusing on specific food items, saying at one point, "This is crazy, this angle is f--king nuts. This is crazy, I've never seen one of these up close — especially not to eat."
On Wednesday, the 29-year-old posted an apology on her Instagram story after facing backlash for her comments.
"I just wanted to come on here and apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart," Townsend said, adding that she understands that she is "so privileged as a professional athlete to be able to travel around the world and experience cultural differences."
Townsend continued: "[It's] one of the things that I love so much about what I do, and I have had nothing but the most amazing experience in time here and the tournament. Everyone has been so kind and so gracious. And the things that I said were not representative of that at all. And I just truly wanted to apologize. There's no excuse. There are no words. And for me, I just, I will be better."
Townsend is ranked as the World No. 1 in doubles. The U.S. team is scheduled to play Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals of the Billie Jean King Cup on Thursday.
