KEY POINTS

  • Cher apologized for her controversial tweet about George Floyd's death that sparked criticism last week
  • She said a friend helped her realize that she hurt people "by not knowing everything that’s not appropriate to say"
  • Twitter users had mixed reactions to her apology, with some claiming it was unnecessary

Cher has apologized for her tweet about George Floyd's death that sparked criticism last week.

The "Believe" singer, 74, earlier shared on Twitter a conversation she had with her mom, Georgia Holt, about the trial of Derek Chauvin, the police officer facing charges for kneeling on Floyd's neck last year. Cher suggested that she could have prevented Floyd’s death, leading to accusations of having a "white savior" complex.

Following the backlash, Cher initially doubled down on her controversial tweet, which has since been deleted, claiming she had the experience to intervene.

"Wrestled With This Twt, Because I Thought some ppl wouldn’t understand, Or Believe an Entertainer Could have Honest emotions about a human Being,suffering & Dying, even if It’s Only Shown On tv. You Don’t Know What I’ve Done, Who I Am, Or What I Believe. I CAN, I HAVE & I WILL..HELP," she tweeted.

However, Cher posted a follow-up tweet in which she admitted that she realized that she hurt people "by not knowing everything that’s ‘not appropriate to say.’"

"I know Ppl Apologize When They’re In a Jam, BUT [hand] TO GOD … IM TRULY SORRY If I Upset AnyOne In [the black] Community. I Know My [heart]," she added.

Cher's apology received mixed responses. Some agreed that she made a mistake, while others said they understood where she was coming from and knew the singer only wanted to help.

"It is unfortunate you have been forced to be attacked in this cancel culture. I/many understand what your thoughts were. If I was there, I would have screamed my head off, even if I was arrested To assume you had bad intentions saddens me. Which will lead to people not speaking," one commented.

"If you have to apologize for saying you wished you could have helped somebody who was being brutally murdered, this country is in more trouble than I thought," another wrote.

"Cher, I love u, but it wasn't just some people who didn't understand. It was thousands of people who saw something wrong with what you said. No one is arguing the intention wasn't good, but maybe you should try to see why it was problematic? Even if your was in the right place," a third user added.

Meanwhile, some believed she should have not apologized for expressing her desire to help Floyd.

"Don't apologize Cher. Bigotry and hate come in all forms. Nobody gets to police good will," one netizen commented. "You get knocked down for privelige and are being asked to shun your privelige at the same time. It's contradictory. You know your heart and your heart."

Singer Cher, pictured in 2014, called post offices near her Malibu home to offer to work as a volunteer
Singer Cher, pictured in 2014, called post offices near her Malibu home to offer to work as a volunteer GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Ethan Miller
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