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Ole Miss racism scandal takes a disturbing turn after student apologized for making monkey noises on camera
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A University of Mississippi student who is involved in a racist doorbell camera incident has apologized, as scandals in her family's company have surfaced.
Alaina Kunes could be seen making racist gestures outside the home of three black Ole Miss students on November 6.
Together with another woman, they beat their chests and made monkey noises towards the Ring doorbell, bursting into laughter while walking past, as a third could be seen looking at the door and walking past.
Following the incident, Kunes, who is the only one of the three to confirm her involvement, issued an apology for her behavior.
A video of the incident has racked up millions of views across social media platforms, and following an investigation by the university, they confirmed that Kunes is 'no longer a student'.
It is unclear if she was expelled or if she withdrew.
Now, it has been revealed that her family's company is fighting a lawsuit over alleged workplace racism involving one of its employees.
Kunes Auto Group is involved in racism scandals
Kunes' father, Scott Kunes, is the former COO of the Wisconsin-based Kunes Auto Group, which owns 50 dealerships across four Midwestern states.
The company had been the subject of protests after a black customer claimed that the N-word was printed on her service ticket when she got her oil changed at a Kunes dealership in Wisconsin in February 2025.
Wisconsin woman Makayla Starks said she was racially abused at one of its dealerships in a lawsuit filed in August this year.
She had purchased her car from the Kunes Buick GMC of Oak Creek in early 2025 and returned for a complimentary oil change, as per TMZ.
Starks, who is biracial, spotted that the N-word was reportedly printed on a service sticker placed on her windshield, and subsequently cried in her car for 20 minutes after seeing the offensive sticker, according to Wisconsin Law Journal.
Speaking in a social media statement, the company penned: "We are deeply disturbed and saddened by the incident that has come to light involving one of our employees and a customer, her sense of safety and dignity.
“We want to be unequivocal: this behavior and the hateful sentiment it implies are absolutely against our values as a company. There is no place for racism or discrimination within our dealership or community.”
Starks claimed that she suffered emotional distress, humiliation, and anxiety.
Another customer complained that a Kunes salesman sent her a racist text message, which featured a photo of a dancing ape wearing a bathing suit.
Both incidents led to the company firing the employees involved, as a spokesperson said: "Kunes Auto Group immediately terminated the employees involved and publicly stated that the conduct was unacceptable and against its values."
Scott Kunes left the company in February, while it was stated that Alaina 'has no employment, ownership, or professional affiliation' with the company.
However, her grandfather holds an executive position in the company.
Alaina Kunes apologizes for her actions
The former Ole Miss student said that both she and her family have received death threats and faced harassment since being identified as one of the video subjects.
Kunes told Action News 5 that her actions were ‘insensitive, inappropriate and deeply harmful’.
She penned in a statement to CBS 58 News: “To the women I offended, and to the Ole Miss community, I sincerely apologize.
“Before the incident on November 6, I never met the women involved and was unaware of their race. However, I recognize my actions were insensitive, inappropriate, and deeply harmful.
“I would have never intentionally made those noises or gestures toward a person of color,” the coed claimed, and added that she had personally apologized to the insulted women.
“I pray they will forgive me.”