Taylor Townsend Apologizes for Chinese Food Criticism

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Photo credit: Getty

Taylor Townsend has apologized after her criticism of Chinese food sparked strong backlash on China’s social media platform.

World doubles No. 1 Townsend, who is in China representing the United States in Billie Jean King Cup competition, joked on social media about some Chinese food she saw at a team buffet in an Instagram video on Tuesday.

“What the hell.. turtle and bullfrog is WILD,” Townsend said.

“These people are literally killing frogs, bullfrogs. Aren’t those the ones that give you warts and boils and stuff?”

Those comments, which were viewed about 50 Million times on China’s Weibo platform, sparked strong criticism.

Earlier today, Townsend apologized in a video she posted on her Instagram Stories.

“I just wanted to come on here and apologize sincerely from the bottom of my heart,” Townsend said. “One of the things that I love so much about what I do, and I have had nothing but the most amazing experience in time here and the tournament.

“Everyone has been so kind and so gracious. And the things that I said were not representative of that at all. And I just truly wanted to apologize. There’s no excuse, there are no words. And for me, I just, I will be better.”

The United States will face Kazakhstan in Billie Jean King Cup play on Thursday in Shenzhen, China.