Carlos Santana apologizes after bizarre on-stage anti-transgender rant
Carlos Santana enraged fans after going into a seemingly anti-trans rant live on stage during a concert in New Jersey.
Carlos Santana has apologized after enraging fans with an out-of-the-blue seemingly anti-transgender speech live on stage.
The 76-year-old Smooth performer was filmed during a performance in New Jersey in a clip that’s now gone viral.
In the video, Santana can be heard telling the crowd: “When God made you and me, before we came out of the womb, you know who you are and what you are.
“Later on, when you grow out of it, you see things, and you start believing that you could be something that sounds good, but you know it ain’t right."
“A woman is a woman and a man is a man. That’s it,” he declared.
Ge ended the moment by comparing him to being on ‘the same level’ as Dave Chappelle - who has had his own backlash after anti-trans comments.
Santana added the moment by adding: “Whatever you wanna do in the closet, that’s your business. I’m OK with that.”
However, after being slammed online for the anti-trans rhetoric, which was seemingly sparked for no particular reason at the concert, he has now backtracked on his words.
In a statement via his reps that was acquired by TMZ, the singer said: "I am sorry for my insensitive comments. They don’t reflect that I want to honor and respect all person’s ideals and beliefs.”
“I realize that what I said hurt people and that was not my intent. I sincerely apologize to the transgender community and everyone I offended."
He added he wants to “honor and respect all ideals and beliefs” - including the LGBT community, adding it “takes courage to grow [...] and to be true, genuine and authentic.”
The star is currently on tour, and is due start a residency in Las Vegas from September 6.
