Northam, a Democrat, apologized for "the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now." Now though, he’s denying he was actually in the picture and is refusing to step down.

Northam held a press conference Saturday afternoon to attempt to explain himself. At the governor’s mansion, he claims neither person in those costumes were him.

"I believe now and then that I am not either of the people in this photo," Northam said. "This was not me in that picture. That was not Ralph Northam."

Strangely, Northam admitted that he did once dawn blackface to resemble Michael Jackson during a dance contest in 1984.

On the topic of resignation, Northam said quitting would be the easy way out. "I intend to continue doing the business of Virginia," he said. "I could spare myself from the difficult path that lies ahead. I could avoid an honest conversation about harmful actions from my past. I cannot in good conscience chose the path that would be easier for me in an effort to duck my responsibility to reconcile."

The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus met with Northam on Friday. They say the governor's press conference renewed their belief that he should resign.

"In light of his public admission and apology for his decision to appear in the photo, he has irrevocably lost the faith and trust of the people he was elected to serve," the caucus said. "Changing his public story today now casts further doubt on his ability to regain that trust."