Ole Miss Students Face Backlash Over Monkey Gestures and Noises in Video
WHO:
The Guardian - The people filmed were two white students at the University of Mississippi. The article identifies Alaina Kunes, 18, as one of them.
The Guardian - Freshman Jakiyra Metcalf uploaded the video. Her mother is Tasha Bolton; her mother’s husband is Brooks Bolton. Metcalf lives with two Black roommates, and the women in the video are described as her upstairs neighbors.
The Guardian - Shawnboda Mead is the university’s vice-chancellor for student affairs.
TMZ - A roommate of the student who released the video said the women claimed they were “stimming” during the behavior. Bethany Joyy re-shared the video on Facebook.
NY Post - One of the three students filmed making monkey noises withdrew from the university. The article identifies Alaina Kunes in its headline as a student who left school.
WHAT:
The Guardian - The Ring surveillance video shows one woman thumping her chest and babbling like a monkey; another enters the camera’s view and mimics primate noises.
The Guardian - The video had nearly 13 million views and prompted outrage over its racist connotation and a university investigation.
The Guardian - Kunes apologized in a statement released by a Chicago law firm, saying, “I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color,” and, “I have apologized to the women, and I pray they will forgive me.”
The Guardian - Kunes said her family had received death threats and harassment and that she intended to cooperate with the university investigation.
The Guardian - Mead condemned the video, saying racism and actions disparaging people because of identity “have no place in our campus community.” She said the university contacted affected students to offer support and hear their concerns.
NY Post - A mother of one of the students affected said she hated the student’s choice to withdraw.
WHERE:
The Guardian - The video was recorded by a Ring camera at the door of Metcalf’s apartment at the University of Mississippi.
TMZ - The video was re-shared on Facebook.
The Guardian - Kunes’s apology was released through a Chicago law firm.
WHEN:
The Guardian - The account says Metcalf uploaded the clip on Saturday; Bolton commented on Facebook that Saturday. Mead issued her statement on Sunday.
The Guardian - The university spokesperson had not replied to a Tuesday inquiry about enrollment status or disciplinary action.
WHY:
The Guardian - Kunes said the gestures and noises were not intended toward a person of color. The roommate quoted by TMZ said the women claimed they were “stimming.”
The Guardian - Mead said the university community should be safe, respected, and valued, and urged people not to share unverified information about who was involved.
HOW:
The Guardian - Metcalf posted the surveillance clip to TikTok.
The Guardian - Kunes apologized in a statement and said she would cooperate with the university investigation.
The Guardian - The article cited earlier racist incidents at the university: fraternity members hung a noose around a statue commemorating the school’s first Black student, and white male counter-protesters directed monkey noises at a Black female protester during a pro-Palestine demonstration.
(UPDATED November 11, 2026 13:05 UTC)
A University of Mississippi student withdrew after video showed students making monkey noises and gestures. The clip sparked outrage and a university investigation; one student apologized, denying intent to target anyone. Officials condemned the behavior and offered support to affected students.