The Insider.com

Mary J. Blige has apologized for a new Burger King ad she performs in that went viral on Monday and was widely criticized for playing on racial stereotypes

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The hip-hop star said in a statement on Thursday that the commercial was actually released before it was completed. "I agreed to be a part of a fun and creative campaign that was supposed to feature a dream sequence. Unfortunately, that's not what was happening in that clip, so I understand my fans being upset by what they saw. But, if you're a Mary fan, you have to know I would never allow an unfinished spot like the one you saw go out."

In its explanation, Burger King said the ad "was released prematurely before all of the licensing and final approvals were obtained." The burger chain's statement added: "We would like to apologize to Mary J. and all of her fans for airing an ad that was not final. We know how important Mary J. is to her fans, and we are currently in the process of finalizing the commercial. We hope to have the final ad on the air soon."

Mary's commercial is part of a new celebrity-powered campaign promoting new Burger King chicken snack wraps also features A-listers Salma Hayek, Sofia Vergara, David Beckham, Steven Tyler and Jay Leno.