Woman at center of viral Ole Miss racist video speaks out and admits ‘insensitive’ remarks

A woman who made racist gestures outside an apartment where three Black students lived has spoken out.​The video shows 18-year-old Alaina Kunes and two other White women passing the apartment, which is home to three students at the University of Mississippi - known as Ole Miss.​The clip includes footage recorded on November 6 by a Ring doorbell, which shows the first of the three women hammering on her chest and making monkey noises as she passes the apartment. A second woman leaps into the air while making monkey sounds, before a third silently walks past.​Kunes identified herself as one of the three women in a lengthy statement released by law firm Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona.​“To the women I offended, and to the Ole Miss community, I sincerely apologize,” Kunes wrote. “Before the incident on November 6, I never met the women involved and was unaware of their race; however, I recognize my actions were insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful.”Alaina Kunes has identified herself as one of the women filmed making a racist gesture in a viral video (Tasha Bolton)​“I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color,” she continued. “I have apologized to the women, and I pray they will forgive me.​Kunes added, “I can never truly understand the pain I have caused them, and it was never my intention.”​A source close to Kunes told NBC News that the 18-year-old has withdrawn from the university.The Independent has contacted Gardiner Koch Weisberg & Wrona and the University of Mississippi for comment.​Tasha Bolton told Action 5 News that the video of the viral incident belongs to her daughter, a Black freshman at the university who shares an off-campus apartment with two Black roommates. The Bolton family are preparing to release a statement.In a statement, ​Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead labelled the behavior in the video as “deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable.”Kunes says that she has apologized to the women who live at the apartment (Tasha Bolton)​Mead also noted that an investigation has been launched into the incident and warned against sharing misinformation on social media. According to the vice chancellor, one student had been “incorrectly identified” as being in the video.​Kunes’ attorneys stated that her father, Scott Kunes, is a former COO at Kunes Auto Group, which is owned by his father, Gregg.The 18-year-old has never worked for the company, nor has any ownership of it, attorneys say.​Amid the huge backlash to the viral video, Kunes has claimed that her family has received death threats.Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Shawnboda Mead described the video as 'deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable' (Google Street View)​“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.​“I understand the seriousness of this situation and remain committed to taking responsibility and learning from this embarrassing ordeal.”​In August, a Wisconsin woman named Makayla Starks filed a lawsuit against Kunes Buick GMC - which is associated with Kunes Auto Group - alleging that a racist slur had been printed on an oil change sticker. The lawsuit, reviewed by The Wisconsin Law Journal, states that the incident unfolded in January 2025.​In a statement released in February 2025, a spokesperson for Kunes Auto Group said the employee involved was terminated and that the firm contacted Starks to apologize to her. The group has also addressed the video in which the 18-year-old Kunes appears.“The individual in the video has no employment, ownership, or professional affiliation with Kunes Auto Group,” the statement, obtained by TMJ4 reads. “We do not comment on private citizens unaffiliated with the company. “Our organization is built on treating every person with dignity and respect, and we do our best to live out those values every day.”