After nearly two months of silence from the members, KISS OF LIFE’s Julie has stepped forward to personally address the controversy that surrounded the group back in April. Fans remember the backlash from the “old-school Hip Hop vibes” birthday livestream for Julie, where the girls were accused of cultural appropriation for wearing cornrows, gold chains, and mimicking rap stereotypes. Initially, the group’s agency, S2 Entertainment, issued a formal apology, but fans weren’t satisfied—what they really wanted was an apology from the idols themselves.
The first response from the group came on April 5 via a handwritten letter shared with fans, where the members expressed regret and took full responsibility. They admitted their intent was to honor hip-hop but acknowledged the execution was culturally insensitive. The letter promised growth, education, and a commitment to do better. Still, many fans felt the apology lacked visibility and emotional weight. Read it here:
On May 31, Julie finally spoke directly during an Instagram Live. In an emotional moment, she addressed the scandal, saying it was “nerve-wracking” but important. She emphasized the group’s responsibility to learn from their actions and apologized directly to the Black and Latino communities. “We’re working hard to be better,” she said.
Watch Julie’s personal Instagram live apology here: