MANILA, Philippines - Actress Nathalie Hart, previously known as the GMA-7 artist Princess Snell, was slammed online after she made a joke about rape on social media.
On her Instagram account earlier this year, Nathalie posted a photo with the text: “If rape is inevitable, lay back and enjoy it.”
The caption for the photo goes: “According to my dads lesson: If rape is inevitable, lay back and enjoy it! #ihavethebestadvicer #mydadisthebes hahaha.”
The posts has since been removed from Nathalie’s Instagram account. However, radio jockey Mo Twister posted a screencrap of her post on his own Instagram account.
“Okay doll, looks like I have to unfollow you now,” he said.
Because of this, Nathalie is under fire from netizens who criticized the actress for making light of rape.
#NatalieHart Never make a light note about rape. Joke or not, it isn't something to take lightly. Now,lay back and enjoy the firestorm dear.
— Joy Hofilena (@JojoyHofi) December 11, 2014 “Thats the stupidest advice I've ever heard especially coming from ur own father,” an Instagram user said.
In a statement made after the post became viral, Nathalie said she is “regretful and displaced” with her post.
“I understand why I have received hate but I want you to know I am very much against with any form of violence, abuse and rape. The whole post was blown out of proportion. It was taken literally and out of context, I now realise that this is no joking matter. Hoping you guys can understand that this was a huge mistake and I posted it without thinking it through,” she said.
Nathalie added: “Again it was all a bad joke and it accumulated even more when DJ Mo Twister posted it. I tried to contact him to fix this privately but I guess he's enjoying all the attention. I'm deeply sorry if I offended or hurt anyone. My whole family is hurting with this controversy and I just want it to stop.”
“I've read some of the comments and I am just ignoring it. If anyone is trying to bring me down and have an emotional breakdown, you won already!”
Nathalie joined the GMA-7 reality talent show “Starstruck” as Princess Snell in 2009.