Tom Hanks‘ sonChet Hanksis addressing a viral video that showed him speaking in a Jamaican Patois accent on theGolden Globe Awardsred carpet.
On Sunday, the 29-year-old postedan Instagram videofrom the red carpet that showed him praising his dad before the legendary actor washonored with the Cecil B. DeMille Awardat the ceremony. In the clip, Chet spoke Jamaican Patois, an English-based creole language that has West African influences.
“BIG UP FIMI WHOL FAMILY SOON COM AT DI AWARDS NA SEEN ? ? ?,” he captioned the post. “CHUNE IN.”
The video quicklywent viral, with some social media users questioning why he had used the accent.
Some called out Chet’s actions as cultural appropriation, with one Twitter user writing, “If #ChetHanks (@CHETHAZE) had talked in a fake Mexican or Chinese-American accent, this would have been called out for being racist a LONG time ago. Why is he getting a pass because it is a ‘Jamaican’ accent? #racismstillalive.”
Chet’s mother,Rita Wilson, commented on his post, writing, “Maybe the best laugh of the night. ?”
On Monday, Chet responded to the confusion about his accent with anotherInstagram post.
Sharing a screenshot ofa CNN articleabout his viral video, Chet expressed his amusement that his faux accent had made the news: “Average citizens: damn this is scary I can’t believe we’re on the verge of WW3 let me check the news smh @CNN: ????????????????.”
Michael Tran/FilmMagic
Later on Monday, Chet doubled down on the accent, postinga second videowhere he spoke in Jamaican Patois, saying that the internet had “gone mad” over his viral video.
“RESPECT TO MI #ISLAND,” he captioned the clip, adding a row of Jamaican flag emojis.
Chet attended the Golden Globes on Sunday night alongside his entire family to watch his dad bepresented with the prestigious honorary award.
During his acceptance speech, Tom, 63, teared up while giving a special shoutout to his family: his wife, Wilson, his four children — sons Colin, Chet, Truman and daughter Elizabeth — and Colin’s wife, Samantha Bryant.
“I’m sorry,” he apologized while taking a moment to gather himself. “A man is blessed with a family sitting down front like that. A wife who is fantastic in every way, who has taught me what love is. Five kids who are braver and stronger and wiser than their old man is.”
(from left to right) Samantha Bryant and husband Colin Hanks; Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson; Chet Hanks, Elizabeth Hanks and Truman Hanks.P. Lehman / Barcroft Media via Getty
The actor added: “And a loving group of people who have put [up] with me being away months and months and months at a time.”
“Of course, otherwise I wouldn’t be standing up here if they didn’t have to put up with that,” Tom said. “I can’t tell you how much your love means to me.”
In May 2018, Chetopened up to PEOPLEabout being a member of a famous Hollywood family.
source: people.com
