Sigh.
Black Eyed Peas came under fire this weekend for a blunder made by singer will.i.am at a show in Galway.
Concert-goers were not impressed when the singer repeatedly referred to Ireland as ‘the UK’, reacting to the statement with loud boos.
Several disappointed attendees took to Twitter to vent their frustration.
“The Black Eyed Peas were fantastic in Galway tonight, but somebody needs to tell them Ireland is not in the UK. It’s quite surprising how many musicians/celebrities make the mistake,” one person wrote.
“Someone tell the black eyed peas that Galway isn’t in the UK,” another said.
A third tweeted straight from the audience: “Out at the Black Eyed Peas gig out in Salthill and @iamwill keeps saying UK and the crowd are booing!”
Meanwhile, another person directly addressed will.i.am, writing: “Dude, Ireland isn’t in the UK, a lot of people died to make that happen.”
Later, he responded to the backlash by saying: “I’m so sorry for that mistake… Please forgive my ignorance and accept my apology.”
I’m so sorry for that mistake…Please forgive my ignorance & accept my apology…#LOVE… https://t.co/sBMmBWuViM
— will.i.am (@iamwill) June 4, 2022
However, the star received further criticism in the comments, due to the fact that he spends a lot of time in the UK filming TV shows like The Voice and should know that Ireland is a different country by now.
To this, he responded: “You’re 1000% correct… It’s not confusion…I spend lots of time in this part of the world to know the difference…
“Today’s mess up was an honest airhead embarrassing mistake… and I’m sorry… the republic of Ireland fought for their independence…and that’s inspiring.”
The Black Eyed Peas kicked off their European tour at Saturday night’s concert at Galway’s Pearse Stadium – their first Irish show in 11 years.
Three original members, will.i.am, Apl.de.ap and Taboo, will be performing the groups mega-hits all over the continent.
They’ll be taking on the tour without Fergie, who left the group in 2017 to focus on her solo music career and devote more time as a mother to her son Axl.
