The mother of the child model at the centre of the H&M race row has branded the public backlash 'unnecessary".
Terry Mango, of Stockholm, Sweden, broke her silence on Facebook, where she told critics of the brand - including a number of global superstars - to 'stop crying wolf".
High street giant H&M has drawn widespread criticism over the advert, which shows Mango's son wearing a green hooded top emblazoned with the phrase 'Coolest Monkey in the Jungle'.
The brand removed the image and issued an apology amid widespread criticism and calls to boycott the retailer.
Musician The Weeknd cut professional ties with the brand while sports stars including basketball player LeBron James and Manchester United footballer Romelu Lukaku slammed the image on social media.
However, Mango has blasted the response, urging critics to "stop crying wolf all the time".
In a Facebook post that has been widely circulated on social media, Mango wrote: "Am the mum and this is one of hundreds of outfits my son has modelled... stop crying wolf all the time, unnecessary issue here... get over it."
Mango added that she had been present at the photo shoot where the image was taken.
In response to a Facebook user who questioned her stance, Mango added that it was "not her way of thinking" although "everyone is entitled to their opinion".
The image advertising the £7.99 jumper was removed from H&M's US and UK websites shortly after news of the outrage broke.
The retailer quickly issued a statement apologising to "anyone it may have offended".
However the image was still shared thousands of times on social media and drew comments from dozens of high-profile critics.
Lukaku posted an edited picture of the boy on his Instagram page with 'Black is Beautiful' on the hoody instead.
He then wrote: "You're prince soon to be a king. Don't let anybody tell you different... #blackexcellence."
LeBron has also slammed H&M for the advert. He fumed on social media: "U got us all wrong! And we ain't going for it! Straight up!
"Enough about y'all and more of what I see when I look at this photo. I see a Young King!! The ruler of the world, an untouchable Force that can never be denied!
"We as African Americans will always have to break barriers, prove people wrong and work even harder to prove we belong but guess what, that's what we love because the benefits at the end of the road are so beautiful! [sic]"
US rapper Pusha T and The Weeknd have also lashed out at H&M vowing never to work with or buy from the chain again.
Pusha T posted an edited version of the advert with a crown on the model's head and hoody, with 'King of the Wold' in bold type.
He also wrote the caption: "Accurate. Never shopped with you ever... not even for Tshirts @hm".
The Weeknd tweeted: "Woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. I’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm anymore..."
Even those who doubted the brand was being derogatory admitted there should have been more awareness of how the image could be perceived.
The campaign group Models Of Diversity, which pushes for more diversification across the industry, said H&M should be "ashamed".
The brand also took to Instagram to express further apology, it said: "We understand that many people are upset about the image of the children's hoodie. We, who work at H&M, can only agree.
"We're deeply sorry that the picture was taken and we also regret the actual print.
"Therefore, we've not only removed the image from our channels but also the garment from our product offering."