Henry Cavill's Girlfriend Natalie Viscuso Issues Apology After 'Blackface' Photos Resurface
June 19 2021, Published 12:23 p.m. ET
Henry Cavill's girlfriend is "sorry" after photos from a 2008 trip to Namibia resurfaced showing her in what some are calling "blackface."
Natalie Viscuso -- who was first linked to the Marvel star in April -- copped major backlash after the pictures caught wind, with someone even starting a petition to get Cavill kicked off his Netflix project The Witcher.
In the photos, Natalie was seen dressed in east African tribal gear with her skin painted in a dark pigment from the neck down.
At the time, the now-Hollywood producer was filming an MTV reality show that featured her traveling to Namibia and participating in an initiation ceremony with the tribe.
Explaining her side of the story, Cavill's girlfriend addressed the controversy ahead of the weekend.
"Firstly, I'd like to say that I'm sorry if this image surfacing has caused any offense. It is a photo from 2008 for a TV show in Namibia," she told Daily Mail on Friday.
"The tribe I was living with painted my skin as part of an initiation ceremony and an acceptance into their culture. Never in a million years did I think that this would be offensive, in fact, I felt honored that they would initiate me," Natalie continued.
Ending her apology, she stated, "However, with the lessons that we are all learning in today's climate, it is important that I recognize that this is potentially hurtful. My deepest and most sincere apologies."
Despite her apology, fans are still calling on Netflix to replace Cavill, who plays Geralt of Rivia in the series.
The Change.org petition accuses Cavill of having a "blatant disrespect for the Black community," adding it, "should not be tolerated."
"I request Netflix his removal from the show with immediate effect," the petition read.
Despite the outrage, only 55 people have signed the petition.
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Many are calling the move extreme with industry insiders claiming the petition is "cancel culture gone mad."
"It feels very extreme to punish Cavill for something his girlfriend did 13 years before they even met," a source told Daily Mail.
"It's likely Viscuso's actions were led by a TV director and all very innocent at the time. She would have been following orders," they added. "Obviously it hasn't aged well, but to remove her boyfriend from a huge TV series as a result is cancel culture gone mad."
