It seems FHM model, Jessica Leandra dos Santos got a little too vocal on Twitter recently. The self described “glamorous blonde of Mediterranean nationality” opened the floodgates to a Twitter storm of note.
The Twitter furore was caused by a series of tweets:
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Would u all stop! These are the kinds of people that land up raping young girls of our country! I wasn’t going to let him get away with it.
— Jessica Leandra (@JessicaLeandra) May 3, 2012
When dos Santos’ followers and fellow tweeters called her out for the racist tweets, the FHM model of the year last year replied: “Tweeted with anger after an incident last night. Forget it pls, I dnt stand still against sexual harassment, thats all.”
The model also took to her website to formally apologise for her racist remarks, saying her tweet was irresponsible.
“I tweeted rather irresponsibly about an incident, using a harsh and unkind word about the gentleman who had confronted me with sexual remarks and sounds,” she wrote.
In her apology, dos Santos suggests that if people had been there to witness the behaviour of the gentleman in question that perhaps they wouldn’t be as angry about her tweet. However, she does concede that: “It is no surprise that my comment has offended many people and for this, I am apologetic.”
All the tweets in question have since been deleted but the damage is done.
FHM South Africa tweeted its reaction the remarks:
We’re horrified that any1 would say such things! Those attitudes have no place in society or FHM!
— FHM South Africa (@FHMSouthAfrica) May 4, 2012
FHM editor Brendan Cooper told Eyewitness News, “We are appalled by Jessica’s moronic, racist tweets. She in no way represents our brand.”
The model has since lost a sponsorship, and a complaint has been lodged against her with the Human Rights Commission.
Screengrabs courtesy of 2 Oceans Vibe
