Ole Miss Student Withdraws After Making Monkey Gestures Outside Black Classmates’ Door
An 18-year-old student at the University of Mississippi has left school just three months after starting. Alaina Kunes made the decision after her family began receiving death threats. This follows a viral video showing her making monkey noises outside an apartment shared by black students. The incident happened on November 6 at approximately 8:37 p.m.
Jakiyra Metcalf and her roommate Victoria Johnson were the students targeted by the behavior. They ran out to confront the women immediately after seeing the footage on their door camera. Metcalf told CBS Morning News that one woman apologized, but another kept making the gestures. “She continued to make the gestures after the girl was apologizing. It was like a slap in the face,” Metcalf said, according to the New York Post.
Kunes is the only one of the three women to publicly admit her role. She issued a statement through her attorney to explain what happened. “Before the incident on November 6, I never met the women involved and was unaware of their race,” Kunes said in the statement, according to the New York Post. She claimed her actions were not intentional but admitted they were harmful.
During the confrontation, Kunes told the black students they had “did that to like four doors,” Metcalf reported. However, Metcalf stressed that she felt their residence was the only one targeted. Kunes cited safety concerns and harassment for her decision to drop out. One of the victims’ mothers expressed regret over the withdrawal. “I hate that she withdrew from the school,” the parent told CBS Mornings.
A CBS Mornings Exclusive: The University of Mississippi freshmen who captured the viral video of two white students making monkey gestures and sounds outside their apartment door speak out for the first time. The students and one of their mothers tell @Jerickaduncan how they feel now that one of the students involved has voluntarily withdrawn from the school.
— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) November 11, 2026
The backlash has also hit Kunes’ family business, a Wisconsin-based automotive empire. Alaina Kunes is the granddaughter of Gregg Kunes, the owner of Kunes Auto Group. Across four Midwestern states, the company possesses approximately 50 dealerships. A lawsuit alleging workplace racism involving one of their employees is currently being fought by them.
A woman named Makayla Starks filed the suit after a sticker with a racial slur was placed on her car. In early 2025, this occurred during a complimentary oil change at Kunes Buick GMC of Oak Creek. Starks stated that she wept inside her car for 20 minutes upon viewing the sticker. A social media statement from the company read, according to the New York Post, “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.”
Kunes Auto Group terminated the employees involved in that earlier incident. A spokesperson said the conduct was “unacceptable and against its values.” Another customer also reported receiving a racist text message featuring a photo of a dancing ape.
The University of Mississippi is actively investigating the incident. Shawnboda Mead, the vice chancellor for student affairs, called the behavior “deeply troubling, hurtful, and unacceptable.” She stated that the actions do not reflect the university’s values. The other two women in the video have not been publicly identified yet.
One of the black freshmen living in the apartment said Kunes leaving was the right move. Regarding Kunes’ peace and safety, “I feel it was like a good option for her,” the student said. Kunes promised to cooperate fully with the university investigation. She asked for privacy for her family as authorities work to ensure their safety.