Entertainment

Harry Belafonte denies falling asleep during live TV interview

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — A representative for singer and actor Harry Belafonte said Tuesday that the 84-year-old did not fall asleep during a live television interview last week and was in fact meditating.

Belafonte appeared to be asleep when KBAK-TV in Bakersfield, Calif., cut to him for a live remote interview. Anchor Layla Santiago attempted to rouse him, saying, “Harry, wake up. This is your wake-up call!”

Ken Sunshine, Belafonte’s representative, issued a statement saying that his earpiece had malfunctioned and he could not hear Santiago starting the interview, TMZ reported.

“His earpiece wasn’t working, so he decided to take the time to meditate before the rest of his Day-O,” Sunshine said, referencing Belafonte’s 1956 hit.

“Mr. Belafonte is 84 years young, but sharper and more awake than most who have been interviewing him,” Sunshine added. “Maybe the world would be a better place if more people took a moment to meditate.”

Belafonte has been promoting his new memoir “My Song.” He has also made headlines for his outspoken criticism of African-American presidential candidate Herman Cain, whom Belafonte criticized for saying that racism is not a major factor in holding people back in America.

“It’s very hard to comment on somebody who is so denied intelligence and certainly someone who is as denied a view of history such as he reveals. He knows very little,” Belafonte said on CNN, adding that Cain’s “good fortune” does not make him “the authority on the plight of people of color.”