Acura apologizes after casting ‘not too black’ actor in NSX Super Bowl commercial

A jetpack, Jay Leno and the Acura NSX make for a great Super Bowl commercial, but potential racism on the part of the private ad contractor now promises to dampen Acura’s reputation. TMZ recently released part of the casting ad for the promo which reads “an African-American actor to play the car dealer who was, “Nice looking, friendly. Not too dark.”

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This might not be the news we wanted to hear about the NSX, but Honda apologized profusely, placing the blame squarely on the ad agency, RP& in this statement:

We apologize to anyone offended by the language on the casting sheet used in the selection of actors for one of our commercials.

We sought to cast an African-American in a prominent role in the commercial, and we made our selection based on the fact that he was the most talented actor.

The casting sheet was only now brought to our attention. We are taking appropriate measures to ensure that such language is not used again in association with any work performed on behalf of our brand.

Check out the commercial after the jump.

– By: Sawyer Sutton

Source: TMZ