Halle Berry, Taraji P. Henson en onse eie Queen B, Bonang Matheba. None of these stars are going to stiek uit at the International Women In Media Conference.
The event is set to take place at the Sandton Convention Centre in Joburg on 5 September. But Hollywood stars Halle and Taraji have both denied any involvement in WimCon2018.
FALSE ADVERTISEMENT! REMOVE MY NAME AND PICTURE! I WILL NOT BE AT THIS EVENT. THIS IS NOT OFFICIAL. 😡😡😡 https://t.co/CoPWi2t7y6
— Taraji P. Henson (@TherealTaraji) August 8, 2018
Just over a week ago American actress Taraji took to Twitter to slam the “false advertising”.
False! I have no knowledge of this event. PLEASE REMOVE MY NAME! https://t.co/x9TlYLpqaa
— Taraji P. Henson (@TherealTaraji) August 8, 2018
She told fans she had no knowledge of the event and she would not be attending.
She tweeted: “False Advertisement! Remove my name and picture, I will not be at this event.(sic)”
But organisers have hit back at Taraji, claiming she knew nothing of the conference, saying the actress not only signed a contract but received a deposit too.
YESTERDAY Y’all mislead my fans and I am disappointed actually I am pissed😡😡😡 https://t.co/T5vdAdDIvS
— Taraji P. Henson (@TherealTaraji) August 8, 2018
She and Halle have been removed from the line-up on the event’s official website.
On social media at the weekend, the Monster’s Ball star apologised to her fans and thanked the Empire star for “letting the people know” about the alleged false claims to the stars being keynote speakers at the conference.
Halle wrote: “To clear the air... I will NOT be attending #WimCon2018. I apologize to any of my fans who were misled - I know NOTHING about this, I have never heard of it. It’s shameful that @21stcg_Global would advertise this way. Thank you @TherealTaraji for letting people know.”
To clear the air... I will NOT be attending #WimCon2018. I apologize to any of my fans who were mislead - I know NOTHING about this, I have never heard of it. It’s shameful that @21stcg_Global would advertise this way. Thank you @TherealTaraji for letting people know. https://t.co/GRvUcimEBv
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) August 11, 2018
This comes after an announcement on 8 August that she would be part of the event, at which Bonang was said to be the MC.
My official statement: International Women In Media Conference. #WIMCon2018 pic.twitter.com/eemKFtPzl5
— Bonang B* Matheba (@bonang_m) August 8, 2018
Bonang also distanced herself from the controversy, stating she’d no longer be part of the event.
The line-up included US singer Ashanti, local actress and producer Connie Ferguson, actor and filmmaker Salamina Mosese, actress and brand ambassador Nomzamo Mbatha and actress Amanda du Pont.