On Air Now
Robert Bruce & Shayna Marie 6:30am - 10am
16 July 2019, 11:07
Rihanna fans defend the R&B star after she was called out for 'cultural appropriation'.
This July, Rihanna made her debut as the cover star for Harper's Bazaar China.
While some people were calling the R&B star out for "cultural appropriation", fans have now defended the 'Same Ol' Mistakes' singer, clapping back at claims the shoot was "offensive".
The initial backlash came in response to the Asian-themed photoshoot, which saw RiRi dressed in modern Chinese outfits, with her hair rolled up in a traditional way, with miniature fans and hair clips placed in the impressive up do.
One person of Twitter wrote: "Wait a minute when Kendal Jenner was on the cover of a magazine with an "afro" people were screaming cultural appropriation but when Rihanna dresses up like this nobody says anything, it's art, it's glam f*ck the double standards."
Another added: "I know we all love her, but why isn't this cultural appropriation? Or is it and nobody cares bc it's Rihanna? Or is it just "fashion"?"
However, Rihanna stans are having none of it, pointing out: "Rihanna's Harper's Bazaar China photoshoot is not cultural appropriation at all. The whole team behind the photoshoot (stylist, photographers, chief/visual editors) were Chinese."
Another Twitter user said: "Rihanna did it for Harpers Bazaar China. She gave credit to the Chinese team who worked with her. They gave Rihanna permission therefore it's not cultural appropriation."
A third chimed in: "It's directed by Chinese artists in a Chinese mag published IN CHINA where the Chinese aren't a minority. Cultural appropriation happens when you take someone's culture for your own. Rihanna was literally dressed to pay homage to their culture. Appreciation, not appropriation."
Wait a minute when Kendal Jenner was on the cover of a magazine with an "afro" people were screaming cultural appropriation but when Rihanna dresses up like this nobody says anything, it's art, it's glam 🖕🏽fuck the double standards pic.twitter.com/wlmsvVfXSQ
— Cali S. (@CaliS16646367) July 9, 2019
Because Kim didnt seek out Japanese people's approval.
— জাকির | جاکر (@J_Hussain05) July 9, 2019
Rihanna did it for Harpers Bazaar China. She gave credit to the Chinese team who worked with her. They gave Rihanna permission therefore it's not cultural appropriation. pic.twitter.com/GOZX5IXK3v
It’s not cultural appropriation because the entire team behind Harper’s Bazaar China is Chinese and it’s specificated in their Instagram post. THEY, Chinese people, dressed Rihanna like that. pic.twitter.com/AHhZjD89aN
— Amaira (@amairargz) July 9, 2019
it's directed by chinese artists in a chinese mag published IN CHINA where the chinese aren't a minority. cultural appropriation happens when you take someone's culture for your own. rihanna was literally dressed to pay homage to their culture. appreciation, not appropriation pic.twitter.com/3D5xkSPe0D
— dax ramĂres (@daxramires) July 10, 2019