Fans Question Why J.Lo Can Use the N-Word While Gina Rodriguez Can't

Gina Rodriguez came under heavy fire for using the n-word this week.

But she is far from the first Latinx celebrity to use it -- and Twitter set out to remind everybody.

Several fans screamed hypocrisy, pointing out that fellow Latina superstar Jennifer Lopez even used it in one of her songs -- namely her 2001 hit with Ja Rule "I'm Real (Murder Remix)".

"I'm just confused how y'all letting some Latinas (#JLo) get away with saying the n word but then other Latinas (#Gina Rodriguez) can't?!!! Like #CancelCulture can you please elaborate?" one fan tweeted.

"Counterpoint, JLo got a pass. Can Gina Rodriguez get one too?" a second asked.

And it wasn't just J.Lo's name that got dragged into the argument -- many pointed out that Cardi B, DJ Khaled, French Montana and Fat Joe have all been known to use the offensive term.

"Another celebrity Latino says the N-word and NOW everyone is mad? Bitch, what?" one vented. "I'm annoyed. So many Latinos prior to Gina Rodriguez have said it. You can't pick when you want to be defensive."

Another slammed: "The hypocrisy around Gina Rodriguez is unreal. Why isn't anyone asking Cardi B, Fat Joe, JLo and countless others to apologise? Why are people buying their music and not getting mad at them? I don't agree with what GR did - she's stupid - but she's not alone here."

However, just as many tweets insisted the word should just never be used in any circumstances.

The drama kicked off on Tuesday when the 35-year-old "Jane The Virgin" star, shared an Instagram Story of herself singing along to the Fugees' song "Ready Or Not" verbatim —- which includes the racial slur.

After deleting the post, Rodriguez shared a new one with an apology.

"Hey, what's up everybody, I just wanted to reach out and apologize," she said looking into the camera. "I am sorry. I am sorry if I offended anyone by singing along to the Fugees, to a song that I love, that I grew up on. I love Lauryn Hill. And I really am sorry if I offended you."

However many didn't believe her apology was sincere and the actress —- who has been accused of and has resolutely denied being racially insensitive in the past —- then issued a second one.

"In song or in real life, the words that I spoke, should not have been spoken. I grew up loving the Fugees and Lauryn Hill. I thoughtlessly sang along to the lyrics of a favorite song, and even worse, I posted it," she wrote. "The word I sang, carries with it a legacy of hurt and pain that I cannot imagine. Whatever consequences I face for my actions today, none will be more hurtful than the personal remorse I feel."

"Watching my own video playing back at me, has shaken me to my core. It is humiliating that this has to be a public lesson but it is indeed a much deserved lesson. I feel so deeply protective and responsible to the community of color but I have let this community down. I have some serious learning and growing to do and I am so deeply sorry for the pain I have caused."

For her part, J.Lo did face backlash when she released the song back in 2001 —- although this was before the glare of social media.

"For anyone to think or suggest that I'm racist is really absurd and hateful to me," she said at the time. "The use of the word in the song... it was actually written by Ja Rule [and] it was not meant to be hurtful to anybody."

Ja Rule has defended her use of the word a number of times since then.

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