Called out for alleged racist attack, Ole Miss freshman claims her actions were a mistake because she was ‘unaware of their race’
Damage control mode.
The fallout from a viral video showing racist behavior at the University of Mississippi, popularly known as Ole Miss, has taken a new turn. Reality Tea reports that Alaina Kunes, an 18-year-old freshman, has issued a formal apology after footage surfaced of her making monkey noises outside an apartment occupied by Black students. The incident, which took place on November 6, 2026, has triggered widespread condemnation and an official university investigation.
According to The Independent, Kunes released a statement on November 10, through the law firm Gardiner Koch Weisberg and Wrona. She expressed regret for her actions while offering a specific explanation for her conduct. Kunes claimed that she did not know the race of the students living in the apartment before the encounter occurred.
“Before the incident on November 6, I never met the women involved and was unaware of their race,” Kunes stated. She further acknowledged that her conduct was “insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful.” She also insisted that she would never intentionally target someone of color with such gestures.
The video footage was captured by a Ring doorbell camera and subsequently shared online
It shows three white women passing by the apartment. One woman is seen hammering on her chest while making monkey noises. A second woman leaps into the air and makes similar sounds. A third woman walks past the door silently, appearing to glance toward it as she moves.
Tasha Bolton has identified the video as belonging to her daughter, who is a Black freshman living with two roommates in the off-campus apartment. The family is currently preparing a public statement regarding the incident.
In her apology, Kunes claimed she had reached out to the women involved to offer a personal apology. She noted that she could never fully grasp the pain she caused, adding that they “deserve to feel seen and understood.” She also wrote, “I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color,” and added, “I have apologized to the women, and I pray they will forgive me.”
The response from the university has been swift
Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead described the behavior as “deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable.” The university has launched an investigation to determine if disciplinary measures are necessary. Mead also cautioned against the spread of misinformation online, noting that at least one student had been incorrectly identified as being in the video.
A source close to Kunes said that the 18-year-old has withdrawn from the university. This development comes amid intense public scrutiny and backlash. Kunes also addressed the personal impact of the incident.
“Over the past several days, my family and I have received death threats and harassment,” she wrote. “I am grateful for the authorities working to ensure our safety. As I intend to cooperate fully with the University’s investigation, I ask for privacy for my family.” She said she is committed to taking responsibility for what she called an “embarrassing ordeal.”
Legal representatives for Kunes have clarified that her father, Scott Kunes, is a former COO at Kunes Auto Group, which is owned by his father, Gregg. They emphasized that the 18-year-old has never held a job or ownership stake in the company. The auto group also issued a statement regarding the video.
“The individual in the video has no employment, ownership, or professional affiliation with Kunes Auto Group,” the company stated. “We do not comment on private citizens unaffiliated with the company.” The firm noted that its organization is built on treating every person with dignity and respect.
This is not the first time the Kunes name has appeared in reports regarding racial controversy
In August, a woman named Makayla Starks filed a lawsuit against Kunes Buick GMC, which is linked to the Kunes Auto Group. The lawsuit alleges that a racist slur was printed on an oil change sticker in January 2025. At that time, a spokesperson for the auto group said the employee responsible was fired and that the company reached out to apologize to Starks.
Civil rights advocates are now watching the situation at the university closely. The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi has confirmed that it is reviewing complaints related to the footage. While Kunes continues to maintain that she was unaware of the race of the students at the time of the incident, the event remains a point of contention.
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