Toby Keith better start working on that apology statement about now.
Asian watchdog groups are blasting the country crooner over an allegedly racist gesture made during an impromptu performance with Will Smith and Wyclef Jean at the Nobel Peace Prize concerts in Norway last week.
Let's go to the YouTube video...
When Big Willie raps the word "yellow" about 26 seconds into the song, Keith is seen briefly pulling back his eyes in a slant-eyed expression that only Miley apologists might find amusing. And while the gesture went unremarked about at the time, several Asian organizations have since called out the "Courtesy of the Red, White & Blue" singer.
"Mr. Keith embarrassed himself with his impromptu pantomime to Will Smith’s song after the Noble Peace Prize concert in Oslo last week," says a spokesman for the Asian American Justice Center. "While some just shook their heads in disbelief, it is important to let Mr. Keith know his gesture was offensive and that we hope he understands why it was so inappropriate."
"By doing this, he is telling his Asian fans, 'You don't matter, you're not on my radar,' " adds a rep from the Media Action Network for Asians.
Keith's camp could not immediately be reached for comment, but previously told TMZ that "nobody at the party thought Toby was out of line."
So that makes it OK?
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Get the lowdown on Miley's misfire with the Asian community here.