Why is Ellie Kemper and ‘her ties to the KKK’ trending?
ELLIE Kemper trended online after a number of social media users 'tied her with the KKK' because of an event she took part in 22 years ago.
People made the comments on Twitter on May 31, 2021 after information came to light that showed the actress attending the Veiled Prophet Ball in her hometown in 1999.
Why are users linking Ellie Kemper with the KKK?
Ellie Kemper’s background was being scrutinized after links were made between an event she attended in St Louis and the KKK.
The event in question is called the Veiled Prophet Ball, which some believe draws comparisons with the white supremacy group.
Attending the event as a 19-year-old, she was specifically named queen - a role chosen by the 'veiled prophet' that historically leads the gathering.
On May 31, 2021 a debate ensued online as some Twitter users deemed her participation at the 'racist ball' as an acceptance of it's ideals which they believe mirror aspects of the KKK.
The ball has run in the region since 1878, but excluded any black members from joining until 1979 due to racial segregation.
The event was therefore considered ‘white only’ for more than 100 years.
In addition, much of their early attire in 1880s also bears a striking resemblance to members of the Ku Klux Klan, though it has been pointed out that KKK members did not begin wearing white hoods and robes until 1915.
Yet, some users online have used the tenuous comparison to claim that Kemper’s views are aligned with the white supremacy group.
How has Ellie Kemper reacted to the Twitter comments?
Ellie Kemper has not yet publicly reacted to the comments made online.
She has also never given her views on the Veiled Prophet Ball that she attended when she was younger.
There is no suggestion of any connection between Kemper and the KKK or any other similar group.
What was said on Twitter?
Twitter users flocked to comment on the photo, some to 'call out' Kemper for 'racist links' from being dubbed Queen of Love and Beauty and others to highlight the importance of facts before jumping on the trend.
One user said: "People are really trying to make the case that this 'tradition' Ellie Kemper participated in wasn’t created by the klan or at least klan adjacent?"
Another agreed: "It really is something that Ellie Kemper was the star of a tv show about a woman who leaves a racist cult and tries to rebrand herself while pretending it never happened. No reason why I'm bringing this up of course."
READ MORE SUN STORIES
But others were quick to defend her and clarify. One said: "I spent ten years of my life in St. Louis (including the time she’s talking about) and I’m familiar with the Veiled Prophet Ball — even knew people who attended it. I’m pretty sure as far as we knew it was just a debutante ball for the society folks."
Another said: "To be accurate, the Veiled Prophet Ball is an event run by classist (and admittedly likely racist) ultra wealthy families in St. Louis and it is quite the stretch to call Ellie a so-called 'KKK princess' based on her selection as queen in 1999."