I'm fully aware of the history of blackface.
Blackface is mainly in reference to minstrel shows in the US, starting in the 1830, and ending roughly sometime in the early 21st century. They would exaggerate the features of African-Americans through the use of makeup. Well aware
There is a world of difference between the blackface minstrel shows that occurred in the US, where the appearance was used to mock them and propagate stereotypes that any African American at the time would have had a very difficult, if not impossible, time protesting against, and a child in the 1980s who legitimately idolizes someone and wants to be them, including in appearance.
One is mockery, the other is emulation. The optics are the same though.