Peter Andre accused of 'posing in modern blackface' after taking on Jamaican gangster role in 'profoundly disrespectful' new film
Peter Andre has been accused of 'posing in modern blackface' after playing a Jamaican gangster in a 'profoundly disrespectful' new film.
The Mysterious Girl singer, 52, stars as lead character Gary Buckle in crime-comedy, Jafaican, which is set for release later this year.
In the film, Gary is tasked with mastering a Caribbean accent and culture in order to pose as a Jamaican crime lord and pull of a heist to pay for his grandma's care.
The Australian actor faced a large backlash after the trailer was released, which sees him don a dreadlock wig and attempt to speak in patois.
Now, it's been reported that a Caribbean filmmaker reached out to complain to Gold Coast Film Festival (GCFF) - who is hosting the premiere - to make an official complaint about the film.
However, GCFF is said to have defended the movie, citing Peter's hit 1995 song Mysterious Girl which they said had 'strong reggae influences.'
The complaint is said to brand Peter's role in the film as 'an appalling act of modern blackface and a shameful display of cultural mockery masquerading as comedy.'
The Voice claims that the complainant - who has remained anonymous - went on to brand the film a 'modern-day minstrel show, a deeply xenophobic mockery of Caribbean identity. The cosplaying of Rasta identity, complete with dreadlocks, is profoundly disrespectful.'
They added that reducing the Rasta culture to a 'comedic prop' was in fact a 'grotesque insult'.
GCFF are claimed to have responded: 'Peter Andre has a long history of music collaboration with Jamaican musicians… and co-stars with prominent Caribbean musician Sizzla in the film.
'The film is set out to showcase Jamaican culture not to mock it.'
MailOnline has contacted GCFF and Peter's representatives for comment.
Peter promoted the film on X/Twitter last week but deleted the post after fan backlash.
Tweets read: 'Peter Andre starring as the lead character of a film called JAFAICAN where he's pretending to be a Jamaican and wearing a dreadlock wig is not something I was expecting to see in the year of our Lord 2025 but here we are...';
'There's a movie coming out with Peter Andre in a dreadlock wig pretending to be Jamaican. Is this really what we're doing in 2025?';
Peter has even deleted his Tweet sharing the trailer, prompting one fan to question whether this means the movie will be pulled
Taking to Twitter to express their uproar fans asked: 'Did I wake up in 1998?'
'Pardon me? A film, starring Peter Andre, as a JAMAICAN man, is due for release shortly. What is this utter f***ery and whooooo thought it was ok to sign this off in the year 2025, please?';
'Why on earth has YouTube just recommended me a trailer for a film starring Peter Andre about a man posing as a fake Jamaican? Did I wake up in 1998?';
'This is actually so gross and I don't know why Jamaica is always everybody's punchline. Wishing the worst for everyone involved especially you Peter Andre';
'Just saw the trailer for @MrPeterAndre new film disrespecting Rastafari - a religion in Jamaica - and mocking Jamaican culture in general, guess what he plays - a white Jamaican criminal.
'I want to know why these people don't find stereotypes about their own culture to film';
'Who tf signed this off in 2025???? Nobody needs Peter Andre in fake dreads, pretending to be Jamaican';
'Sorry a film where Peter Andre has to pose as a Jamaican gangster to pay for his Grans care home. It might just be peak art'.
One fan noticed Peter had deleted his tweet in light of the backlash as they asked: 'So Peter Andre deleted his tweet, does that mean Jafaican is being scrapped?'
However the trailer didn't receive all negative comments after other fans shared their excitement ahead of the films release.
Peter first shared the trailer on his Instagram over the weekend as he announced: 'The OFFICIAL trailer for JAFAICAN has just dropped! Coming to cinemas soon….'
Peter first shared the trailer on his Instagram over the weekend as he announced: 'The OFFICIAL trailer for JAFAICAN has just dropped! Coming to cinemas soon….'
The trailer didn't receive all negative comments after other fans shared their excitement ahead of the films release
Revealing his upcoming promo work for the film he confirmed the world premiere will be at the Gold Coast Film Festival on May 9 and he teased that news on a UK premiere would be coming soon.
Excited fans penned: 'Peter that looks amazing can't wait to see this brilliant'; 'Oh yes!!!! looking forward to this @peterandre can't wait';
'I wish I could have watched this being filmed'; 'Omg so gassed'.
Meanwhile his son Junior added: 'Been waiting too long for this!!! Can't wait!!'
The controversial film comes just a month after Peter blasted Disney's woke live-action Snow White for 'putting people out of work' after the film replaced dwarf actors with CGI.
Wading into the topical debate surrounding he film in his New Magazine column, insisting: 'I think it's important to leave classic films as they were'.
Back in 2023, the film was delayed for a major overhaul after negative reception to the film having seven 'magical (non-dwarf) creatures'. Instead, the seven dwarves were replaced through the use of CGI.
Peter wrote: 'Disney has been involved in a bit of controversy over its new version of Snow White for things like using CGI for the 'magical creatures' instead of the original seven dwarfs.
'It's important to remember that the original stories and films were very much of their time and, yes, there are definitely things that don't sit comfortably with today's audiences.
'I think it's important to leave classic films as they were. New films can be as diverse as ever, but recreating classics and putting actors out of working for CGI is not the solution.'
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