Jason Derulo upset a lot of people at the ANN7 South African of the Year Awards. The American singer was the main act at the event, which was held at the Ticket Pro Dome in Johannesburg on Saturday, 17 October.
Instead of just doing what he was paid to to do - singing - the Wiggle Wiggle star asked the audience if they can speak English. Wait, what? Was that meant to be a joke? Did he consider the fact that some people were only there for the awards and not to see him?
This did not sit well with some people.
Jason Derulo, at the South African of the Year Awards, asked the audience if they speak English. @BarackObama, please come fetch him.
— Tats Nkonzo (@TatsNkonzo) October 17, 2015
Yo! Jason Derulo we just want to talk, In English #TheTurnUp #DoweSpeakEnglish pic.twitter.com/VeAeKP9HZT
— #Yfm (@Yfm) October 17, 2015
Jordin Sparks, then the MET Gala fiasco, weak album sales & now asking South Africans if they speak English. Jason Derulo stay losing.
— Makho Ndlovu (@makhondlovu) October 17, 2015
At the South African of the year awards, the main performing act is not South African. Siphi na?
— Outside S'thethi (@ZikhonaTshona) October 17, 2015
In a country with as much talent as South Africa, it is a proper insult to subject the nation to this Jason Derulo person.
— Mme a Masakona (@FloMasebe) October 17, 2015
(👀) RT @myo_56565: tell us how we should deal w Jason Derulo he just Asked SAns if they speak english,any ideas as to how to deal?
— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) October 17, 2015
Did Jason Derulo, just ask "Yall speak English right" #SATY2015 pic.twitter.com/qhO8Nhfhhd
— Nkanyezi Kubheka (@NkanyeziKubheka) October 17, 2015
"Y'all speak English right?" - Jason Derulo 😕😕😕😕😕😕😕😕
— Nomzamo (@NomzamoMbatha) October 17, 2015
What made the organizers think Jason Derulo is the perfect headliner for this type of crowd? #SATY2015 pic.twitter.com/zmqqSwg3RH
— Nkanyezi Kubheka (@NkanyeziKubheka) October 17, 2015
Jason Derulo isn't even a big star but comes here to disrespect us? Toni Braxton/Babyface were here & they didn't talk nonsense. Who is he?
— Flo (@florenceletoaba) October 17, 2015
The singer has explained that his question was only directed at a specific table.
"Speaking English" remark I made, was directed to a specific table. It wasn't literal, just a figure of speech when someone isn't responding
— Jason Derulo (@jasonderulo) October 17, 2015
Okay then, Jason.