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"Humble" Actress Carter Kim Speaks On 'Something Natural' Controversy
"Humble" Actress Carter Kim Speaks On 'Something Natural' Controversy
Image courtesy of YouTube / Vevo

"Humble" Actress Carter Kim Speaks On 'Something Natural' Controversy

"Humble" Actress Carter Kim Speaks On 'Something Natural' Controversy Image courtesy of YouTube / Vevo

Kendrick Lamar's "Humble" video earned just as much praise as it did critique following its debut on March 30.

One such moment in the video that received both was when Lamar raps alongside actress and model Carter Kim, as the visuals show a contrast between her with makeup on and off, as well as an image of her stretch-mark-striped backside.

Some opposed the shot, with many speaking out against what Lamar perceives as "natural" features for a woman. Others came at Kim, examining her complexion and hair and how she personified "something natural."

Now, Kim has offered her thoughts on her appearance in the video.

Turns out that Kim became a part of the "Humble" video when a close friend (who just so happened to be the casting director for the video) thought she would be a perfect fit. The role remained a mystery for her up until she started filming for the video.

Following the release of the video, Kim was disappointed to see how she had been generalized to a "sugar brown mama with a Brazilian body wave frontal," or having "that ass with stretch marks."

"That part is extremely frustrating," Kim said in an interview with Elle. "...I used to get teased for my hair and told my hair is fake...I'm a little puzzled because a lot of it comes from African American women. I'm just like, why wouldn't you empower another African American woman who's just trying to pave the way for her career and also just represent us as women in a music video that has now gone viral. I would just think they would be happy with that, but everyone finds something."

She then discusses how people are quick to assume her background, with people failing to acknowledge her blackness.

"A lot of people don't really see that I am black. It's been a journey," she said. "My mom is full Korean, but she's adopted, so she's very Americanized now. I am Korean, French, and African-American, and that's what I am aware of. My dad is black and French...I've gotten denied for being black a few times. Surprisingly, that has happened and I have gotten 'not black enough.'"

Read the rest of the interview here.