The writer of Green Book has apologised for a 2015 tweet that saw him making derogatory remarks about Muslims in the US.
Nick Vallelonga, who is the son of the film’s subject Tony Vallelonga, sparked controversy after it emerged that he supported Donald Trump’s previous claims that Muslims were seen celebrating the 9/11 attacks in New Jersey.
Despite Trump’s claims being widely discredited, Vallelonga claimed that he had seen it occur.
The tweet was brought to light by La La Land writer Jordan Horowitz, who explained: “Nick Vallelonga wrote Green Book. My industry just gave him a Golden Globe for writing. This remains on his timeline.
https://twitter.com/jehorowitz/status/1083155351065612288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1083155351065612288&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalspy.com%2Fmovies%2Fa25889801%2Fgreen-book-writer-nick-vallelonga-apologises-anti-muslim-tweet%2F
“Mahershala Ali is a Muslim, and a beautiful, generous and kind man. This is all just too disgusting.”
But Vallelonga has now responded after his victory at the Golden Globes brought the initial tweet to light.
“I want to apologise. I spent my life trying to bring this story of overcoming differences and finding common ground to the screen, and I am incredibly sorry to everyone associated with Green Book,” he wrote.
“I especially, deeply apologise to the brilliant and kind Mahershala Ali, and all member[s] of the Muslim faith, for the hurt I have caused. I am also sorry to my late father who changed so much from Dr. Shirley’s friendship, and I promise this lesson is not lost on me.