The spring edition of the program brought many changes introduced by the station’s new program director, Edward Miszczak. First, Micha³ Wi¶niewski left the program, then Katarzyna Skrzynecka was famously fired, and then Piotr Gąsowski decided to leave as a gesture of solidarity. In his place, Maciek Rock appeared, who, together with Maciej Dowbor, forms a presenting duo.
Viewers had different opinions about the modification of the format, but they still remain faithful to it and willingly sit in front of their TV sets when it is broadcast. The current 19th edition of the program features such people as: Pola Gonciarz, Kuba Szmajkowski, Ewelina Flinta, Nick Sinckler, Jagoda Szydłowska, Jakub Gąsowski, Magdalena Kumorek and Marcin Januszkiewicz.
“Your Face Sounds Familiar” is under fire again
In the last episode, the winner was Kuba Szmajkowski, who can represent our country at Eurovision next year. His performance was liked by both the viewers and the jury of the program, who awarded him the three highest marks. However, his speech received a lot of negative attention on social media – Internet users accused the production of the program of racism.
Szmajkowski performed the song “Humble” from the repertoire of American rapper Kendrick Lamar. In order to resemble the dark-skinned artist, the production decided to characterize him in the so-called blackface, which is now considered offensive. You can read many unfavorable comments under the program’s post on Instagram:
Racism again, blackface again. It’s very sad!
Unmark Kendrick in the post so he doesn’t see it, it’s embarrassing as fuck.
Still blackface? Haven’t you learned yet?!
Very rude on the part of the producers and performer. As a dark-skinned person, I am outraged by this performance!
It is worth noting that this is not the first situation of this type in this program. Every time a participant appears in “Your Face Sounds Familiar” wearing blackface, a huge wave of hate towards the program appears on the Internet. There is even a fanpage on Facebook called “Blackface in Polish pop culture”, which is described as a “chronicle of cultural appropriation”.
However, the show’s production apparently still sees nothing inappropriate about it. Two years ago, under the influence of enormous criticism, they issued a statement in which they explained their use of blackface with the intention of “reproducing the image and performance as precisely as possible.” Will the program authorities finally change their mind and move with the times? This is not likely to happen for now.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
