Mother of children who star in Sainsbury's ad hits back at racist trolls

The mother of the children who appeared in the Sainsbury’s Christmas advert has hit back at racist trolls who threatened to boycott the chain.

The supermarket’s festive ad called ‘Gravy Song’, which features a black family, came under fire from trolls who threatened to boycott Sainsbury’s over it.

The move prompted outrage and led to Sainsbury’s issuing a statement pointing out that it represents “a modern Britain, which has a diverse range of communities”.

Now the mother of the children who starred in the ad has hit out at racists who commented on it, saying: “People say racism doesn't exist, but if you are on the other side you don't see that.”

Watch: Sainsbury’s Christmas advert: The Gravy song

Natasha Mushonga’s children Malakhai, 11, and Shannel, eight, both appeared in the TV commercial and have appeared before in other adverts and as models for brands.

Mushonga, 34, said: “It hurts that people think that the colour of your skin determines what type of Christmas you should have.

“There are three adverts to show diversity but you can't win with these people.”

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She said: “I don't think they wanted it to be about colour diversity. If the advert of another race makes you not want to shop there, well okay then, bye. It's just sad and unnecessary.

“It's racism so you learn to live with it. People should learn to love each other.

“I feel bad for them that they actually have the time to sit on a computer and post that about an advert.”

She said while Shannel doesn’t know about the advert, Malakhai does but is “not bothered in the slightest”.

“I think I prepared them well for what they have to see out there,” she added.

“People say racism doesn't exist, but if you are on the other side you don't see that.”

‘Gravy Song’ is the first of three festive adverts to be released by Sainsbury’s, followed by ‘Perfect Portions’ and ‘Big Sarnie’, and shows a montage of throwback home-video footage showing how a daughter wants to be home at Christmas for her dad’s gravy.

In a statement, Sainsbury's said: “At Sainsbury's, we want to be the most inclusive retailer.

“That's why, throughout all our advertising we aim to represent a modern Britain, which has a diverse range of communities.

“We have three stories of three different families in our advertising.”

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