Ellie Kemper Apologizes for
Participating in 1999 Ball With
‘Racist’ Origins .
Ellie Kemper took to Instagram on June 7 to
address a number of resurfaced photos that have
put her at the center of controversy. .
The photos in question were discovered last week
and showed a 19-year-old Kemper participating in a debutante ball in St. Louis, Missouri. .
The ball was hosted by the Veiled Prophet Organization,
a group with known racist and antisemitic origins. .
In her apology, Kemper
said she was “not aware”
of the organization’s history
at the time, but that
“ignorance is no excuse.” .
The century-old organization that hosted
the debutante ball had an unquestionably
racist, sexist, and elitist past … I was
old enough to have educated myself
before getting involved, Ellie Kemper, via Instagram.
Kemper then denounced white supremacy, acknowledged
her privilege and sided with those criticizing her. .
I believe strongly in the values of kindness,
integrity, and inclusiveness. I try to live
my life in accordance with these values.
If my experience is an indication that
organizations and institutions with pasts
that fall short of these beliefs should be
held to account, then I have to see this
experience in a positive light, Ellie Kemper, via Instagram