Ziegler, 17, admitted that she was “ashamed” about her actions in a statement on Twitter on August 4.
“There are a few videos some of you have seen from when I was about nine years old where I thought it was funny to mock people and accents,” Ziegler began. “I’m honestly ashamed, and I’m truly sorry for my actions. The decisions I made then are absolutely not decisions I would make today.
“What I thought was silly humour when I was younger I know was actually ignorant and racially insensitive. We have all made mistakes in our lives and as we grow up we educate ourselves and learn to be better people.”
“Growing up in the public eye has its challenges and also comes with the responsibility to set a good example which I failed to do in these videos,” she continued. “I hope you will forgive me and also hope you realise I have in fact grown up and would never act this way now.“
“I know some of you are hurt and may not accept my apology but I want to ask all of you to please be kind to each other on socials. There is no need to attack each other or try to defend me. I don’t want anyone to feel bullied and think we can all learn from my mistakes and spread love during these times when we need it most.”
In July, Ziegler’s younger sister, Mackenzie Ziegler, was also forced to apologise for using a racial slur.
“I am sorry for my actions in the past. I really am. I am sorry if I offended anyone. That was not my intention,” she said in an Instagram Story at the time. “I am NOT racist. I do not stand with racism. I’m sorry if you all misunderstood me. I’m [trying] my best. I love u all so very much and I hope you can understand.”
Maddie Ziegler, who will next be seen in West Side Story, rose to fame on the show Dance Moms at eight years old. She went on to feature in Sia’s music video for ‘Chandelier’ and ‘Elastic Heart’.