This week, while at the Billie Jean King Cup Final in Shenzen, WTA Doubles world No. 1 Taylor Townsend poked fun at Chinese food in a series of posts on her Instagram story.
In the first video, Townsend can be seen alongside fellow Team USA player Hailey Baptiste as the two cracked jokes about one of the dishes being served at a dinner buffet. In the second video, Townsend again films the dish from another angle, posting it with the caption:
“This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen .. and people eating this.”
In the third post, Townsend showed fans a photo of the Chef’s Recommendations, a braised soft-shell turtle dish with fish maw, and a dry pot bullfrog dish.
Alongside the photo she wrote:
“Imma have to talk to HR.. because what the h***.. turtle and bullfrog is WILD.”
Townsend then posted a video to her story where she stated:
“I’m honestly just so shocked at what I saw in the dinner buffet. As I go back and I look… these people are literally killing frogs… bullfrogs. Aren’t those poisonous? Aren’t those the ones that give you warts and boils and stuff? And the fact that it’s all stewed up with chillies, peppers, and onions. Like oh, you really made this a dish?”
Following the series of posts, which can be seen below, Townsend then went on to apologize on in a separate post on Tuesday.
“I’m honestly just so shocked at what I saw in the dinner buffet. As I go back and I look… these people are literally killing frogs… bullfrogs. Aren’t those poisonous? Aren’t those the ones that give you warts and boils
Taylor Townsend Apologizes for Controversial Post
Once Townsend’s Instagram story posts hit Twitter, fans were quick to criticize the American star.
In response, she posted an apology video, vowing to do better:
“Hi, everybody, I just wanted to come on here and apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart. I understand that I am so privileged as a professional athlete to be able to travel all around the world and experience cultural differences, which is one of the things that I love so much about what I do.
“And I have had nothing but the most amazing experience and time here in the tournament, and everyone has been so kind and so gracious, and the things that I said were not representative of that at all, and I just truly wanted to apologize. There’s no excuse, there’s no words, and for me, I will be better. I’m really, really thankful to my country to be able to represent them and to be better, and that’s all that I can do. So, I just truly apologize.”
Townsend and Team USA Set to Face Off With Kazakhstan in BJK Cup QF
Amid Taylor Townsend’s social media controversy, the US standout is preparing for a big day of action on Sept. 18 when Team USA faces off with Kazakhstan in the quarterfinals of the Billie Jean King Cup.
With a win, Townsend and Team USA could punch their ticket to the semifinals, where Elina Svitolina Monfils and Team Ukraine await after a big win over Paula Badosa and Spain on Wednesday.
While Townsend and Team USA are looking for their first Billie Jean King Cup win since 2017, Svitolina and Ukraine are looking to secure their first-ever BJK Cup title.
Taylor Townsend Apologizes For Controversial Posts at Billie Jean King Cup