Popular morning show host and former actor Nida Yasir has apologised following backlash over remarks about food-delivery riders, saying, “I’m a human, not an angel.” She explained that humans sometimes fail to express themselves properly, and her words were misinterpreted.
The controversy began during a live broadcast when Nida shared a “bad experience” with delivery riders, claiming some deliberately did not carry change to “swindle” extra money from customers. She described how she would make such riders wait while her driver fetched the change, intending it as a lesson.
Her comments sparked online criticism, with netizens accusing her of being insensitive to underpaid gig workers who work long hours to make ends meet. Others pointed out that delivery apps notify customers to have exact change ready, suggesting her frustration was misplaced.
After days of discussion on social media, Nida addressed the controversy, clarifying that she never intended to hurt anyone or target the entire rider community. She admitted her “wrong choice of words” occurred during a live show where immediate clarification was impossible.
Nida emphasised that she only referred to “some riders” and not the entire sector, sharing that her remarks stemmed from personal experience. She said, “I’m not here to hurt anyone. I appear on screen as I am, and I have emotions like anyone else. Sometimes we fail to convey with words what we have in our hearts, and it gets interpreted differently.”
She concluded by offering a sincere apology to delivery riders, saying, “Please forgive me for my mistake. I never intended to disregard your struggles or hurt anyone. It was just my experience.”
Her statement underlined her intention to mend relations with the delivery community and clarified that her remarks were personal, not a reflection on the entire profession.
