One of the women seen in a viral video making racist gestures outside a University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) apartment has apologized and withdrawn from the school, officials confirmed Tuesday.
The university launched an investigation after the video, which shows two women beating their chests and making ape-like noises outside the off-campus residence of three Black students, went viral over the weekend. The footage, captured by a Ring doorbell camera, has been viewed more than 12.5 million times on TikTok.
Apology and Withdrawal
Alaina Kunes, 18, issued a statement Tuesday through a representative, expressing remorse for her actions. “To the women I offended and to the Ole Miss community, I sincerely apologize,” Kunes said. “I recognize my actions were insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful.” She added that she did not know the residents and was unaware of their race until the video circulated.
Kunes stated she had apologized directly to the affected students and prayed for their forgiveness. “I can never truly understand the pain I have caused them and it was never my intention,” she said. “These girls deserve to feel seen and understood and what I did is not a reflection of who I am trying to become.”
A source close to Kunes confirmed she has withdrawn from Ole Miss, though the university did not immediately comment on her enrollment status. The status of the other two women in the video remains unclear.
University Response and Investigation
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead confirmed the university’s investigation in an email to the campus Sunday, describing the video as showing “University of Mississippi students engaging in racist gestures directed toward other students.” Mead stated that staff had reached out to the impacted students to offer support and connect them with resources.
The university did not provide further details on the investigation’s progress or potential disciplinary actions. Tasha Bolton, mother of one of the Black students, shared her account of the incident in a Facebook post, though the students themselves have not publicly commented.
Video Details and Public Reaction
The video, posted to TikTok, shows two women briefly stopping outside the apartment door. One beats her chest while making grunting and cooing sounds, while the other stands nearby. A third woman walks past without engaging. The video’s caption and widespread sharing sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability.
The incident has drawn national attention, with many criticizing the actions as overtly racist. Others have emphasized the need for education and dialogue, noting Kunes’ apology and withdrawal as steps toward accountability. The university has not indicated whether additional actions will be taken against the unidentified women in the video.