The Australian parody comedian who was slammed for a video depicting a white woman transitioning to being Aboriginal — in which she simulated petrol sniffing — has been fired from her job.
Lisa Jane Spencer posted the video on Tuesday, which featured the comedian dancing barefoot, clapping sticks, wearing white facepaint, and sniffing from a red jerry can.
Following widespread backlash, including one person labelling the video as “deeply disturbing” and “insensitive”, Ms Spencer refused to apologise for the video, saying “I love Aboriginal people” but that she pushes “boundaries” in her comedy.
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“If you can’t make jokes about certain people and things then that is a form of privilege and hierarchy and comedy is about tearing those down,” Ms Spencer said.
It appears Ms Spencer has been fired from her role at Peninsula Hot Springs outside Melbourne — the company posted a statement on Instagram, saying it is “aware” of the video from a “former employee”.
“We want to acknowledge and sincerely recognise the concern and disappointment that has been expressed, particularly by members of First Nations communities, community partners and those who have reached out to us directly,” the statement said.
“We do not support or endorse content that is inconsistent with our values or our commitment to inclusion, respect and cultural safety.”
Ms Spencer says she is “deeply disappointed” in her former workplace, tagging them in her Instagram story in a rebuttal of her firing.
Peninsula Hot Springs issued a statement referring to their ‘former’ employee. Credit: Instagram, @peninsulahotsprings
“(Peninsula Hot Springs) fired me on the spot yesterday morning with no notice, after people publically (sic) and illegally doxed where I worked,” she said.
A number of high-profile celebrities took to social media, slamming Ms Spencer’s video in the comments section.
“It’s not funny,” former Bachelorette Brooke Blurton said.
Ms Spencer refused to apologise for the video. Credit: Instagram, @lisajanespencer
“It is genuinely unbelievable that you consider this funny. This isn’t humour. . . You’ve made your point, you’ve got the engagement you wanted. Time to take it down,” model Olivia Molly Rogers said.
