ApologifyKylie Kelce’s Correction, Fosi Schmidt’s Missing Apology
This week’s strongest apology pairs acknowledgment with an immediate correction. The weakest shows why a reported apology needs actual words we can assess.
Every week we read the public apologies so you don’t have to, and score each one on what it admits, explains and repairs. These are the 7 that mattered between Sep 28 – Oct 4, 2026. Disagree? Give your own score under each one.
Kylie Kelce
Names her mistake and immediately uses Catherine’s corrected titles, though regret remains formulaic.
“Princess Catherine or the Princess of Wales, I apologize. I will get that sorted immediately starting now.”
Kylie Kelce apologized on her podcast after addressing Catherine, Princess of Wales, as “Princess Kate” during an invitation to appear. She acknowledged the naming mistake, used the corrected titles and promised to address people as they prefer.
Your score
Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt
The Nazi salute apology is reported, but no apology wording supports awarding points.
Samoa’s prime minister, Laʻaulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, publicly apologised after footage emerged showing him giving a Nazi salute and saying “Heil Hitler.” Coverage dates the footage to a 2007 family event, but the supplied evidence does not reproduce his apology, preventing assessment of its wording or commitments.
Your score
Also this week
South Korea football captain
Acknowledges careless speech and apologises to serving fans, but offers no concrete repair.
“I deeply regret having spoken so carelessly, and I will continue to reflect on my actions.”
South Korea captain Lee Gi-hyuk celebrated Asian Games gold by declaring he would not have to serve in the military. He later apologised to serving fans and supporters, acknowledged speaking carelessly and promised continued reflection, but offered no concrete repair.
Your score
Julius Malema
Malema apologised under parliamentary sanction; excerpts show no direct admission or concrete repair.
Julius Malema apologised in Parliament over his questions to Judge Keoagile Matojane during a 2021 Judicial Service Commission interview. He used a Sepedi proverb about correcting people with guidance, delivering the apology just before a parliamentary deadline after losing a legal challenge to the sanction. The supplied excerpts do not provide his full apology or identify any promised repair.
Your score
Lady Gaga
Expands the bronzer range, but obscures who approved six shades with passive wording.
“This was unkind and not at all how a creator, or any customer's voice, should ever be treated”
Haus Labs planned a six-shade bronzer launch that drew criticism from Golloria for excluding deeper skin tones, then asked her to remove her review over an embargo issue. In a statement from Gaga, the brand acknowledged both failures and said it paused the launch to expand the range to 11 shades.
Your score
Thames Water
Identifies the meter-reading error, confirms returned funds and adds checks, but avoids direct first-person responsibility.
“We apologise unreservedly to Mr Bainbridge and his family.”
Thames Water apologised after an incorrect meter reading led to £145,562 being debited from Adam Bainbridge’s account. The company said the money had been returned, offered a goodwill gesture and announced additional checks to prevent a repeat.
Your score
Francis Lao
Offers P20,000 per player, but describes the allowance failure vaguely and gives no prevention plan.
“Ako na ang humihingi ng pasensya na nagkulang kami. Pero bigyan nyo kami ng pagkakataon na makabawi sa inyo”
PNVF president Frank Lao apologized to national volleyball players over inadequate financial support for the Asian Games and accepted accountability for their allowances. He personally gave each men's team player P20,000 and paid Owa Retamar's round-trip airfare, while asking athletes for time to make amends.
Your score
That’s the week. If someone in your own life is owed an apology, take the lesson from the top scores: name what you did, own it, and offer to make it right.
Write yours on ApologifyApology News, every Tuesday.
The week’s public apologies, scored. Free, five minutes.