'I'm not perfect.' Snoop Dogg accused of fake apology after expressing discomfort with LGBTQ+ Disney characters

American rapper Snoop Dogg has come under fire for remarks made during an episode of the It’s Giving podcast, where he expressed discomfort with LGBTQ+ representation in the 2022 Disney/Pixar film Lightyear.

The rapper, who watched the film with his grandson, said he was “scared to go to the movies” after being asked how a woman could have a baby with another woman. He admitted feeling unprepared to answer such questions and said the scene “threw [him] for a loop”.

The scene in question features Alisha Hawthorne, voiced by Uzo Aduba, and her wife Kiko, who share a brief kiss and raise a child together. The inclusion of the couple sparked controversy upon the film’s release, leading to bans in several countries and criticism from conservative audiences.

Following the backlash, a comment attributed to Snoop Dogg appeared on Instagram, where he seemingly apologised, writing: “All my gay friends [know] what’s up, they been calling me with love. My bad for not knowing the answers for a 6-year-old. Teach me how to learn. I’m not perfect.” However, his representative later denied the authenticity of the comment, stating it was “fake” and not posted by the rapper himself.

Despite the disputed apology, the controversy has reignited discussions about LGBTQ+ representation in children's media. Screenwriter Lauren Gunderson, who contributed to Lightyear, defended the inclusion of the lesbian couple, saying it was a natural and meaningful choice that she was proud of.