Rihanna’s Met Gala Outfit Is Being Slammed As “Offensive” & People Are Divided

9 May 2018, 11:59 | Updated: 9 May 2018, 12:11

The singer's outfit sparked outrage among some.

Rihanna has sparked major debate online following her hotly anticipated appearance at the Met Gala 2018.

The Bajan songstress turned heads in her custom-made jewel-encrusted ensemble, a creation of designer John Galliano, which also featured crosses and an ornate papal mitre headdress.

Rihanna Met Gala 2018

And while she garnered praise from many for adhering precisely to the theme of "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination", the dress offended others.

Here’s What Hip-Hop Wore To The Met Gala 2018

"As a practicing Catholic, this is offensive to me," wrote one user, "My Faith is not your fashion." Another added, "Very offensive dress do not like it! Appropriating religious ritual dressings!"

As a practicing Catholic, this is offensive to me. My Faith is not your fashion.
— Alexandra (@alexkogs) 7 May 2018

Wow @rihanna is serving appropriated looks hunney! The insensitivity tho.... Like so many other looks meet the theme without being offensive, but by wearing the Papal Mitre? Really?
— DANUSIA. (@danusiav) 8 May 2018

So I guess it’s ok to use Catholicism as a costume for Rihanna? This is beyond offensive!!!!
— CK20 (@melissa710) 8 May 2018

Very offensive dress do not like it! Appropriating religious ritual dressings!
— HollywoodDeplorables (@hollywoodhillsv) 8 May 2018

I find it offensive too. I respect all religions and I could never wear an object of another person’s religion unless I was doing an activity within their place of worship.
— The Spice of Life (@SpiceOfOurLife) 9 May 2018

However, many fans jumped to the singer's defence following the backlash, arguing that the costume was not a symbol of cultural appropriation.

In addition, some pointed out that the Catholic church reportedly approved of this year's theme and even donated a number items from the Vatican for the event.

"I’m Catholic and I don’t think Rihanna’s outfit was offensive" commented one user.

Yep no problem, "cultural appropriation" is only possible in the truly negative sense when practiced by those in power over those they appropriate from. Rihanna from Barbados is not subjugating the insanely powerful Catholic Church so it's fine https://t.co/YUESPhnSoO
— Vincent Bevins (@Vinncent) 8 May 2018

There are a bunch of Catholics trying to cry “cultural appropriation” over the Met Gala and meanwhile @Pontifex has probably made Pope Rihanna the new background on his phone
— Anne Thériault (@anne_theriault) 8 May 2018

Also: THE VATICAN CONTRIBUTED TO THE EVENT AND THE ARCHBISHOP OF NEW YORK ATTENDED, SO CLEARLY THE CHURCH WAS DOWN WITH IT
— Anne Thériault (@anne_theriault) 8 May 2018