MTV cuts ties with Taylor Selfridge over ‘past racist statements’

MTV has cut ties with reality television star Taylor Selfridge because of racially insensitive tweets, the entertainment network said.

MTV was supposed to feature Selfridge, who turns 26 on Saturday, and boyfriend Cory Wharton in its premiere Tuesday of “Teen Mom OG At Home: Cory & Taylor’s Baby Special,” People reported. Instead, the network aired an episode of “Catfish.”

MTV later confirmed the special had been shelved and the network had ended its relationship with Selfridge, who has appeared on “Are You the One?,” “Ex on the Beach” and “The Challenge.”

“MTV pulled ‘Teen Mom OG At Home: Cory & Taylor’s Baby Special’ from its Tuesday schedule and is ending our relationship with Taylor Selfridge in light of her past racist statements on social media,” an MTV spokesperson said in a statement. “MTV strongly condemns systemic racism and stands with those raising their voices against injustice.”

Selfridge was criticized after tweets from 2012 resurfaced online this week, People reported. Selfridge had apologized before season 8 of “Teen Mom OG” during a conversation with Cheyenne Floyd, Wharton’s ex-girlfriend, the magazine reported.

Selfridge went on Instagram to apologize, E! News reported.

“As you guys know already our special didn’t air tonight,” Selfridge wrote. “I made the decision last week to not film the next season of teen mom OG with Cory for the benefit of myself and my daughter. I don’t believe the reality tv lifestyle benefits me any further at this point in my life. With current events being what they are and reality tv being selective in who they apply rules to or what is considered acceptable behavior, I do not have any further respect.

“Once again, I apologize for anyone I have hurt or offended in the past. I have addressed my mistakes many times on the network and I would like to move on and continue to be the best version of myself. My past does not define who I am today and I hope you guys can see the change. Please respect my decision to provide a normal, healthy life for my family.”

Selfridge and Wharton welcomed their first child together, Mila Mae, on April 22, People reported. Wharton, 29, is also father to a 3-year-old daughter Ryder, with Floyd, according to the magazine.

“I just feel like I want to raise Mila like I want her to know all sides of her family,"Selfridge told E! News last month. "She has a white side and a black side of her family, so I want her to know all sides.”

“I have to teach myself all sides, too, so I feel like if I just teach her how to love everybody, it’s all about love.”

Cox Media Group