Kerry Washington Defends Eva Longoria Amid Backlash Over Remarks About Black Women Voters

Kerry Washington is standing by her friend Eva Longoria after the latter was accused of allegedly downplaying the role of Black women in the election while crediting Latinas for Joe Biden's win.

On Sunday, Longoria appeared on MSNBC, where she talked about the impact that Latina women had on the 2020 presidential election. Though she acknowledged that women of color "showed up in big ways," the "Desperate Housewives" star hailed Latina women as the "real heroines."

"You saw in Georgia what Black women have done, but Latina women were the real heroines here, beating men in turnout in every state and voting Biden-Harris at an average rate of close to 3 to 1," she said.

Longoria sparked backlash with her remarks, which some deemed to be dismissive toward Black women. However, Washington defended the actress against the criticism as she shared a clip of Longoria apologizing for using unclear wording.

"I know Eva like a sister. We have been in many trenches together. She is a fighter for all women. Read below. This is what she meant. This is how she truly feels," she wrote on Twitter.

Longoria retweeted Washington's post with prayer emoji.

After she was called out for her "real heroines" remark on social media, Longoria immediately issued an apology and said she regrets not wording her statement better.

"I'm so sorry and sad to hear that my comments on MSNBC could be perceived as taking credit from Black women," she said in a statement she shared on Twitter.

"When i said that Latinas were heroines in this election, I simply meant that they turned out in greater numbers and voted more progressively than LATINO MEN. My wording was not clear and I deeply regret that," she continued.

In her statement, she also acknowledged the "history of anti-Blackness" in the Latin community and made it clear that she didn't want to contribute to that. Longoria called Black women the "backbone of the Democratic Party," adding that "Latinas (many who identify as Afro-Latina), indigenous women, AAPI women and other women of color are standing with them so we can grow our collective voice and power."

"Together, we are unstoppable! Nothing but love and support for Black women everywhere!" she concluded. "You deserve a standing ovation!!!!"