K Naomi hits back after Instagram post about her daughters’ skin tones sparks colourism backlash

K Naomi, a South African media personality, TV presenter, influencer, and model, has defended her recent Instagram post featuring photos of her daughters, Ama and Nethisa, and their contrasting skin tones. The post drew criticism from online users who accused her of colorism, a form of discrimination or bias based on skin tone that is particularly sensitive in South Africa due to colonial and apartheid-era beauty standards.

In response to the backlash, K Naomi clarified that the post was simply a sentimental note about the family resemblance between her daughters and two significant women in her life. She emphasized that her daughters are "two little girls with their own unique features" and that the conversation had shifted into a broader discussion about colorism in a way that felt "beyond me". K Naomi also accused critics of deliberately misinterpreting her post to fit their own negative narratives and projections.

The controversy is not the first time K Naomi has faced online criticism. In 2019, she removed a tweet where she called bipolar people "hated" due to its insensitive use of a serious mental health condition as an insult. K Naomi apologized, explaining that she had been venting about inconsistent behavior and acknowledged her own history with depression. She has also defended previous remarks about HIV/AIDS by citing prevalence statistics and personal experience.