Listen: Ari Lennox Addresses Backlash for Saying ‘Martin’ Jokes About Pam Were “Wildly Offensive” to Dark-Skinned Women

Ari Lennox is no stranger to garnering as many headlines for her R&B hits as she is her polarizing opinion on hot topics, but her recent statements on the classic sitcom ‘Martin‘ had the show’s longtime supporters up-in-arms.

So much so, the GRAMMY nominee took to social media to defend her stance and clap back at critics – hard!

See what she said inside.

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As reported here, Lennox found herself in hot water last month for relaying her belief the hit 90’s TV comedy starring Martin Lawrence, Tisha Campbell, and Tichina Arnold used to “p-ss her off” because Lawrence’s jokes about Arnold’s character (Pam) were “disrespectful to Black women.”

“The thing that pissed me off about Martin was how much he was goin’ in on Pam,” she said at the time. “There are some things where I draw the line. Pam was so f**king beautiful and so fine, and I just feel like growing up as a chocolate girl, I don’t even know if I was able to understand the greatness of Pam because of what I was being fed. Always going in on Pam, that’s all I remember.”

Ari’s take on the alleged colorist undertone to the banter and ridicule the two stars exchanged on the sitcom sparked social media debate, with many siding against her or suggesting she was sharing an exaggerated stance.

This week, the ‘Pressure‘ performer finally broke her silence against the detractors.

“If I had ill intent, I would’ve came on here with a Power Point presentation that backs my claims on the types of jokes,” Lennox said to her more outspoken critics (as heard in the video above). “And I don’t say any of this with any desire to rewrite history. Those actors and actresses are legends and I meant no harm to them. I don’t need any army of people defending me or agreeing with me. That has always been a rare occurrence for me. But I feel amazing in knowing that I will validate myself and my feelings before I look to you and yours.”

Click PLAY on the video above to hear her full address of the matter.

At writing, Lawrence has not responded to the hoopla.