Cardi B apologises for 'disrespectful' Hindu goddess photoshoot
12 November 2020, 13:09 | Updated: 12 November 2020, 13:15
The rapper was accused of cultural appropriation for mimicking a Hindu goddess.
Cardi B has apologised for mimicking a Hindu goddess in a photoshoot after receiving major backlash online.
The 'WAP' rapper, 28, recently featured on the cover of Footwear News magazine ahead of the launch of her new collaboration with Reebok.
QUIZ: Is it a Cardi B lyric or a Nicki Minaj lyric?
On the cover, Cardi can be seen holding a red trainer in her hands with many arms appearing behind her, imitating the Hindu goddess Durga who is traditionally depicted as having several arms.
While Cardi was said to be 'paying homage' to the religious figure, many viewed the photoshoot as cultural appropriation and took to social media to accuse her of being disrespectful.
People are saying Cardi B is paying homeage to our hindu goddess Durga. So as a Hindu I want to say that:
— This user does not exist :) (@wotermelonsugrx) November 11, 2020
1-Wearing a shoe in a temple is prohibited
2-Durga maa is not to be used as an aesthetic
3-Durga maa is NEVER depicted bare bodied
4-THIS. IS. NOT. HOMAGE. IT'S. DISRESPECT. pic.twitter.com/K4QFa431tP
Cardi b did not pay “homage” to the Hindu goddess Durga by holding a shoe in her hand, this is plain disrespect and in no way cultural appreciation. she can’t getaway with this without addressing and apologizing for mocking our culture pic.twitter.com/ZLVcz0mBlB
— Hana 🤍 (@MissAmericHANA) November 11, 2020
Cardi B using Durga Maa to sell trainers?? When are people gonna realise our gods and goddesses aren’t there to be mimicked...
— Geeta💙ॐ (@GeetaChelseaFC) November 11, 2020
Cardi B out here thinking she's Ma Durga. Ma'am no, you aren't. Stop messing with others religion. And ofc yet AGAIN no one will give two fucks about this except for us.
— মেঘলা☁️NCT 2020 (@xuxidesi) November 10, 2020
"Cardi b did not pay “homage” to the Hindu goddess Durga by holding a shoe in her hand, this is plain disrespect and in no way cultural appreciation," wrote one user, "she can’t getaway with this without addressing and apologizing for mocking our culture".
Cardi later posted a video apologising for the photoshoot and insisted that she meant no harm.
"When I did the Reebok shoot, the creatives told me I was going to represent a Goddess; that she represents strength, femininity and liberation, and that’s something I love and I’m all about," Cardi said.
"And though it was dope, if people think I’m offending their culture or their religion I want to say I’m sorry. That was not my intent. I do not like disrespecting nobody’s religion. I wouldn’t like people to offend my religion."
Cardi Addressing The Hindu Situation In Apologizing Pt 1 Via: Instagram stories pic.twitter.com/YRo2XKXK9s
— The Popular Table (@PopularCardiB) November 11, 2020
Pt 2 pic.twitter.com/hVMXAVvc2A
— The Popular Table (@PopularCardiB) November 11, 2020
Pt 3 pic.twitter.com/wYZXeQ3SQC
— The Popular Table (@PopularCardiB) November 11, 2020
Pt 4 I knew cardi really ain’t do her research in that’s her fault she ain’t come up with the concept of the shoot the director did so y’all dragging her for a concept she didn’t come up with witch I still don’t find a problem with the shoot but here go y’all apology let it go 😘 pic.twitter.com/LDBxf1RIdi
— The Popular Table (@PopularCardiB) November 11, 2020
Meanwhile, Cardi recently reconciled with husband Offset and called off their divorce after initially filing back in December.
