Tom Hanks’ son, Chet, formerly known as Chet Haze, became a lightning rod of controversy back in June when he went on social media, used the N-word, and then defended his right to use it. Since then, Black people across the internet, including Chet’s former friend, rapper Scrilla Kinga, have blasted Chet and let him know just how wrong he is in using the word. Now, it seems like Chet has finally had a change of heart because he recently apologized for his disrespectful remarks.
Last year, Chet revealed that he’d battled substance abuse in the past but claimed he’d sobered up. However, this past summer he came under fire for his public use of the n-word before completely disappearing from the public eye.
Recently, Chet finally made his return to social media and he posted a series of videos on his Instagram page, explaining that he’s been trying to get his life together.
“Hey I just want to say, I know, like, my name’s been in the media about me like, going missing or getting kidnapped or something … I’ve been in rehab,” he said in one video. “I’ve been trying to get my s— together and I’m doing pretty damn good, you know what I’m saying?”
He added in another, “I just had to really take a look at myself and my life and the way s— was going and all the crazy, stupid s— I was doing and just finally admit to myself that it wasn’t working and I had to try something new and that thing was to not do any drugs or alcohol.”
Chet then addressed his use of the N-word and although he still believes his message around his use of the word was sound, he apologizes for speaking about it publicly.
“I know a lot of y’all understood the point I was trying to make but the truth is, it’s not my place to speak on that, and I’m genuinely sorry for the people that I offended,” he said.
Chet went on to explain that he doesn’t want to be known for being a celebrity troublemaker.
“You know, at the end of the day, like, all that stupid s— I was doing, like, that’s not who I am, that’s not who I want to be,” he said. “And it’s been a long journey for me discovering who I am because all the pressures that I’ve dealt with in my life, you know, being the son of my dad and everything and just trying to find where I fit in, you know?”
Well, we’re still not fully convinced his life is turned around,but we hope he really is trying to stay on the straight and narrow path now without any drugs.
