Officials at a New Jersey high school say they're "disgusted" by a risqué promotional video for a now-cancelled celebrity basketball tournament that was shot in the school's gymnasium.
“I am appalled that a video of that sort was associated with that school or any of our schools,” Newark Board of Education member Daniel Gonzalez said during a meeting Tuesday night, referring to the scandal involving West Side High School.
The board says they expect findings by their next meeting on Aug. 25.
“Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken,” board president Hasani Council said during the meeting.
Superintendent Roger Leon stressed that the video shoot was never a district or school event.
According to NJ.com, the tournament, dubbed “Nuttin’ But Azz,” was produced by Big Fendi, a music manager and impresario known for discovering Niki Minaj. It was originally scheduled for July 21 at the high school before the video’s appearance on social media sent shock waves through the school community.
The video reportedly included at least 10 women dressed in thongs and halter tops dancing suggestively. A man dressed as a referee tells viewers, “We’re giving out $10,000 to the best of team out of four teams.” Tickets to the event, also known as the “NBA Baddies Basketball Tournament NJ,” ranged from $50 to $500.
Big Fendi apologized to the "the whole City of Newark," as well as to parents and students, the West Side principal and to West Ward councilman Dupré Kelly, who is also a founding member of the Lords of the Underground hip hop group.
“Things went a little left, and out of control,” Fendi said in the video. “I take full responsibility for that ‘cause you guys had no knowledge of what these girls would be wearing.”
School board members were outraged that the video's cast and crew had access to the gym in daylight hours during the school year.
“Who authorized the use of that school gym for that purpose?” said board member Josephine Garcia. “I urge immediate action to avoid anything like this from happening again.”
