Apple Music chief and legendary music producer Jimmy Iovine came under fire this week for his bizarre comment on women, suggesting that they struggle to find music online. Apple later had to issue an apology.
While on CBS This Morning to talk about Apple Music and the new ad with Mary J. Blige, Kerry Washington and Taraji P. Henson, the Interscope Records co-founder said, “I always knew that women find it very difficult at times -- some women -- to find music. And this helps makes it easier with playlists, curated by real people.” CBS This Morning anchor Norah O’Donnell interrupted this comment, saying, “He’s talking about me.”
With Blige sitting right next to him, Iovine told CBS This Morning’s Gayle King that one use for Apple Music is to add a soundtrack to any problem girls have.
“I just thought of a problem: Girls are sitting around talking about boys. Or complaining about boys, when they have their heart broken or whatever,” he said. “And they need music for that, right? It’s hard to find the right music. Not everybody knows a DJ.”
Later Thursday, Apple and Iovine released a statement following the online backlash, insisting that Apple Music was created for everyone.
“We created Apple Music to make finding the right music easier for everyone — men and women, young and old,” Iovine said. “Our new ad focuses on women, which is why I answered the way I did, but of course the same applies equally for men. I could have chosen my words better, and I apologize.”
Here’s the full CBS This Morning interview: