Rihanna magazine cover sparks fierce social media debate
Rihanna’s latest magazine cover for Harper’s Bazaar China has sparked an angry reaction online — but some people are fighting back.
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Rihanna’s latest magazine cover has sparked a fierce debate over whether the star is guilty of cultural appropriation.
The shots of RiRi outfitted in Asian floral patterns, with matching hair and makeup for Harper’s Bazaar China, provoked the social media conversation, with a number of people taking to Twitter.
The mag touted its cover as “[a] western style icon meets [an] eastern aesthetic,” and shared the glam pics on Instagram.
For some media users, that wasn’t enough of an explanation.
“so nodoby gunna call rihanna out for cultural appropriation … hmm I see,” one Twitter user quipped.
Others were quick to defend the star.
“It’s not cultural appropriation because the entire team behind Harper’s Bazaar China is Chinese,” posted one user. “THEY, Chinese people, dressed Rihanna like that.”
y'all Rihanna popped up with this on my tl and people are saying it's not cultural appropriation cause it was approved by a team of chinese people as if a couple chinese fashion designers looking for $$ and attention have it in their best interest to care about what's insensitive pic.twitter.com/UPTapShieD
— Joanne 祖賢 (@redjetseven) July 10, 2019
This is not cultural appropriation! It’s appreciation. Clearly, Rihanna is paying homage, respect and acknowledging Chinese culture, as styled by Chinese stylists, approved by Chinese editors. Conclusion: Yes, you CAN wear other culture’s clothing. Just be mindful of it! pic.twitter.com/t79MylEa8t
— David Yi (@seoulcialite) July 14, 2019
It’s not the first time Rihanna has shown love for the Far East look.
At the 2015 Met Gala, themed “China: Through the Looking Glass,” she stunned in a gold gown by Chinese designer Guo Pei.
This story originally appeared in the NY Post and is republished here with permission
Originally published as Rihanna magazine cover sparks fierce social media debate