Patrick Shumba Mutukwa (Photo: Facebook)
An actor who had a small role in Black Panther has felt forced to apologize after it came to light that he previously appeared in a graphic, nude video.
Patrick Shumba Mutukwa is based in Atlanta, Georgia (much of Black Panther was shot in studios based there). He had a non-speaking role in the hugely successful superhero movie as a Border Tribe Warrior. He also acted as a dialect coach on the movie.
Mutukwa was born and raised in Zambia. Last week, he was in his home country, embarking on a motivational speaking tour to youngsters about Black Panther and his career in the US.
However, is was whilst in Zambia that photos appeared online from a pornographic video he shot in his 20s.
The images have been widely shared and condemned in Zambia.
Following the leak of the images, his publicist, Larissa Long of BlueRed Communications, issued a statement on Mutukwa’s behalf. He distanced himself from the video, saying it was ‘unsavory’ and an immature decision on his part.
The full statement is as follows:
Recently there was an unsavory video released of Shumba Mutukwa to the Zambian public from his 20s. He was a young man that made a choice not all may agree with however, it does not change who Mr. Mutukwa is as a man, philanthropist, or actor. Mr. Mutukwa has grown and learned from his past as we all do.
Although he recognizes his errored decision he does own up to the immature behavior in his past. There is nothing more he can do but continue to use his celebrity to better the country of Zambia.
He temporarily closed down his social media accounts only because he knows there are children engaged with him that he knows should not witness the video.
He asks that people refrain from sharing the video on social media to look out for young eyes. Again, he was a young man himself and is not the same youthful person he was.
His life is dedicated to bettering others and what he did in his past has nothing to do with what he’s accomplished and will continue to accomplish. He has strong pride in Zambia and works hard to make the country and its citizens proud. That is his path and he has proven well beyond a doubt that who he is today and will be in the future.
The man you’ve grown to love, not the youth that makes immature decisions.
“Thank you for understanding we all make mistakes but know I will continue to bring pride to Zambia. My growth continues in everything I do from errors to successes.” -Shumba
‘He is not now, nor was he ever a gay porn actor’
Long says Mutukwa made the video with an ex girlfriend and denied reports that it was a gay porn video.
She told BBC Africa Live: ‘He is not now, nor was he ever a gay porn actor.
‘There was no one in the video with him. He is embarrassed by the actions of his youth but certainly has nothing to apologize for, as what he did was not illegal or harmful to anyone.
‘He was a young man that made a choice not all may agree with.’
Mutukwa temporarily shut down his social media but posted a poem to his Facebook on Saturday that appeared to reference the incident.
‘Shame. It’s what running through my blood as I try to run away from the truth. The truth that I made a mistake. A mistake I can never fix, even if I tried. So, I hang my head low and pray it all comes to pass.’
Read the posting below.
See also
There were plans to include a gay romance in Marvel’s Black Panther
