Entertainment
White critics slam Beyonce’s tribute to Hollywood ‘icon’ for ‘cultural appropriation’ and ‘double standards’
Megastar Beyoncé’s latest video has sparked quite a lot of discussion as she pays homage to ’90s icon Pamela Anderson by recreating a few of her most famous looks. Many people claim that the 99-time Grammy-nominated singer is a white fisherman who intentionally dresses as a white woman and thereby appropriates her culture.
But it leaves the query: Can a naturally light-skinned Black woman help if she has Eurocentric features, or can there really be something to be said by imitating the looks of a well-liked white woman?
In a series of scenes inspired by Anderson’s character as a lifeguard on “Baywatch,” her role within the 1996 film “Barb Wire” and her memorable performance on the 1999 MTV VMAs, the Houston native captures the bombshell vibe that made Anderson a popular culture phenomenon.
Although it was a part of her Halloween look, the music video celebrates Beyoncé’s long-awaited return to musical visuals after a three-year hiatus. However, while fans celebrated her return, the tribute was not without controversy.
The music video debuted on November 5, Election Day, and included a thumbnail encouraging people to “Vote.”
The first visual from her album, “Cowboy Carter,” not only captured the message of Election Day, but additionally captured the Halloween spirit as she dressed up throughout.
In it, Beyoncé dons three iconic Anderson-inspired outfits and seemed to emulate the Canadian native’s vibe from her biggest project, including her memorable red lifeguard suit, which morphed into “Beywatch” for the singer, referencing her nickname. She also rocked a fluffy pink hat that mirrored Anderson’s VMAs style, turning it around in a way only the “Dreamgirls” actress could.
While many fans loved the tribute, Beyoncé’s outfit sparked some emotion online.
When is additional television sent photos from the music video and compared them with real images of the “Scary Movie 3” actress, people wondered.
The platinum blonde wig and makeup made her skin look noticeably lighter, prompting accusations of “whiteface” and cultural appropriation.
Some felt her appearance was an attempt to appear to be a white woman, with comments like “So white face?” and “Gross cultural appropriation” flooding social media.
The response to these replies was, “I was just thinking about that, but it’s okay for her, right? It’s really embarrassing.”
“A white man would get in trouble for this,” another person wrote.
One user asked: “Why if a white chick dresses like a black chick she gets terrorized and canceled. But if black imitates white, it’s fine.”
Another bluntly stated, “Stop trying to be white.”
One X user wrote on Twitter: “I remember when Beyonce was black. The fact that she wants to dress up as a white Canadian shows us how much SHE goes out of her way just to get the Black vote when it puts her center stage. How do you people respect a hypocrite? She wants to be white.”
I remember when Beyonce was black. The proven fact that she wants to dress up as a white Canadian shows us how much SHE goes out of her way just to get the Black vote when it puts her on center stage. How do you people respect a hypocrite? I need to be white. https://t.co/U5nXTj7McA
— TheXFactor (@DeborahTaylor01) November 5, 2024
Someone else he wrote“Cancel Beyoncé for wearing whiteface and cultural appropriation. Liberals and their double standards are bulls…. Or don’t cry when it’s the opposite way around.”
This is not the primary time Beyoncé has faced such criticism. In 2023, she wore a silver Versace gown and a platinum wig to the premiere of her film “Renaissance,” which led to some accusing her of trying to appear white and comparisons to Kim Kardashian circulating online.
The debate over her appearance continued throughout the Paris Olympics when Beyoncé portrayed Team USA in a patriotic video. Dressed in a red, white and blue leotard and with blonde hair, she received each praise and criticism from fans, however the critics’ voices were loud, with many saying she was downplaying her African-American features in exchange for Barbie’s patriotic appearance.
The “Love on Top” singer has worn blonde hair throughout her profession, dating back to her Destiny’s Child days when she sported lighter braids. However, over the past few years, people have criticized it more and more, even claiming that it could even lighten their skin.
But there are occasions when she accepts darker facial expression. Throughout her work on the film “The Lion King”, the album “The Lion King: The Gift” and its accompanying visual project “Black is King”, your complete project focused on African identity and included the Grammy-winning song “Brown Skin Girl”.
She even modified things up in 2024 for Halloween by dressing up as Mexican-American singer-actress Apollonia and Prince. The move was met with a hotter reception, with fans celebrating her portrayal as a lady of color. However, some noted that her resemblance to Apollonia wasn’t quite accurate and said she was trying to rating points along with her core fans.
She also dressed like later funk singer Betty Davis, Miles Davis’ second wife, rocking her signature afro and mimicking the quilt of her 1975 album “This Is It.”
Although there have been critical voices, on this case there have been no accusations of cultural appropriation.
Interestingly, Beyoncé’s portrayal of Anderson has attracted more attention for her uncanny resemblance to a younger Pam Anderson than Anderson herself currently does.
Now 57-year-old Pamela Anderson has opted for a more natural look, often posing without makeup and sharing posts about self-acceptance. On one Instagram postshe showed off her freckles and reflected on changing beauty standards, a stark contrast to the highly stylized look that made her famous.
Despite divided reactions, Beyoncé’s faithful got here to her defense.
In just 4 days, the video racked up over 745,000 views on YouTube – a slower start than usual for her usual explosive results, but a reminder of her lasting impact.
As Beyoncé continues to experiment along with her style and pay homage to cultural icons, the conversation about her image, identity and public perception stays as dynamic as ever.
Entertainment
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett share awkward separation rumors that fuel rumors months after photos of the actress with a new man Surface
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith still have something in common, but social media users have not been in a position to pinpoint exactly what it is perhaps.
Now that the two stars have been photographed together for the first time since May, the Internet is abuzz with discourse about the nature of the couple’s “very strange” and “dysfunctional family.”
The actress was last seen publicly with Will on the red carpet at the “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” premiere in Los Angeles, along with their children, Jaden and Willow, and Will’s son, Trey, whom the actor shares with first wife Sheree Zampino.
The “Ali” stars returned to photos taken in the Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas, where they dined with good pal and celebrity life coach Jay Shetty.
The couple, each 26, were captured in a hip-to-hip hug as they stood outside Crossroads Kitchen.
The emotional moment captured by paparazzi comes after Jada’s recent backlash over the past few years, revealing that she had an “entanglement” with singer August Alsina and that she and the movie star have been separated since 2016.
Criticism of Smith’s non-traditional marriage intensified in 2022 after Will punched Chris Rock onstage at the Oscars for joking about his wife’s shaved head. The “Low Down Dirty Shame” actress later revealed that the controversial incident reopened a new chapter in her relationship with Will. Despite this, the recent dinner was met with an unfavorable response.
One person he claimed“They are fake.” Another critic wrote that they were “a thoroughly unsympathetic couple who had two spoiled and unsympathetic children.”
Elsewhere, Instagram users across the web couldn’t resist trying to research the A-lister’s chemistry. “Goodbye, it was nice to catch up,” said one of the individuals who didn’t notice a hint of romance between the actors. Someone else commented“It’s the friend zone, hug AF.”
Another asked: “@jayshetty helping them with their problems!?”
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith step out for dinner of their first public outing together in 6 months https://t.co/QspliNWrWh pic.twitter.com/YvGRPFy4PV
— Page Six (@PageSix) November 10, 2024
Both Jada and Will have stated that divorce was never an option despite their split. After receiving massive digital attacks from former fans, Jada took a break from social media. On September 1, she returned to her private Instagram account with a cryptic post: “My heart was blooming… Can’t wait to share it.”
Whatever intention was behind the post was somewhat derailed when followers noticed that the carousel of photos and videos featured an unidentified man accompanying her on a jet ski.
Rumors of their continued separation were fueled after they decided to not post birthday wishes to one another. The actual status of their relationship stays unconfirmed, but fans have already change into convinced that their love is just platonic.
Entertainment
Chaos breaks out as disgusted fans slap Chrissy Teigen’s ‘dirty feet’ on kitchen counter while cooking
Germophobes do not have to fret that Chrissy Teigen will ever invite them out for a meal. It looks just like the model has her hands full and is taking to cooking for her family, which has left lots of her Instagram followers upset.
Teigen, the wife of Grammy-winning singer John Legend, spent years developing culinary content online that she shared together with her 42 million followers in regards to the sanctity of her real-life cuisine.
Their children, 8-year-old Luna, 6-year-old Miles, and 1-year-old Esti and Wren, grow to be the most important characters as she prepares something to eat.
On Nov. 12, the Sports Illustrated cover girl uploaded a behind-the-scenes video of Wren eating the last word comfort dinner: Jok Moo, a Thai rice porridge recipe that could be made with pork, chicken or beef.
Teigen, whose father is half-Norwegian, half-German and mother is Thai, not only shared the total recipe, but additionally a snippet of how she and her daughter Luna prepare a fresh pot of the meal. The Legend’s wife stood on the stove in black biker shorts and a black bra, using two spoons to form meatballs and drop them into an iron pot.
Luna, wearing a fitted pink tracksuit, sat in a deep crouch on the island counter, following her mother as she made meatballs. Adoring fans were glad to see that the couple’s eldest child was still within the kitchen, something many followers witnessed from a young age.
“I think it’s great that Luna likes being in the kitchen with you. She will be a great cook, just like her mom!!” – exclaimed one in all the fans. One second comment read: “I love watching Luna help!” However, reactions to the post quickly died down as the “Lip Sync Battle” personality’s sensibilities got here under fire.
One person asked, “Is it me? But why are dirty feet lying on the counter? I love you, but this doesn’t seem sanitary. But they weren’t alone in sharing their thoughts on cleanliness. “It’s cute that he’s helping, but I don’t like how he’s standing on foot on the kitchen counter,” another person wrote.
A 3rd disgruntled viewer joked: “Really why is the daughter sitting on the counter like that?”
Teigen’s followers were quick to defend her, replying: “It’s their house. They can do whatever they want,” as well as one one that commented, “Her feet are probably clean and never touching the food, but still, no. I’m too germaphobic.
Although the model posted a couple of pop-ups within the comments section answering questions on her recipe, she didn’t deny those that criticized Luna’s helping hand. Teigen is not any stranger to causing a stir on social media; she has actually toned down her antics since she faced backlash for controversial remarks in recent times.
These days, she doesn’t appear to care in regards to the slight comments from fans and critics about her parenting and Legend’s disappearing appearances that sometimes leave her feeling like a “single parent.” The couple has been married since 2013. Last yr, they renewed their wedding vows in an intimate ceremony to have fun their tenth anniversary.
Entertainment
Pastor Jamal Bryant decides to share Ray J’s ‘dirty and illegal’ interview after the singer’s threats to ‘rip’ him from the pulpit
In the latest season of his popular podcast “Let’s Be Clear,” Pastor Jamal Bryant encourages listeners to engage in honest conversations with a formidable group of influential figures, from politics to popular culture.
Known for his daring and direct approach, Bryant recently took part in the second season of his show with some heavy hitters, including former BET host Jeff Johnson, hip-hop mogul Master P and political icon Stacey Abrams. However, his upcoming interview with singer-turned-entrepreneur Ray J could have caused more confusion than he expected and may not see the light of day.
The “One Wish” singer appears to be upset about a few of the issues discussed during the recording and posted a heated message to Bryant and his team on social media.
Claiming that he was treated unfairly and even describing his experiences as “dirty” and “illegal,” Ray J said in an Instagram video, warning the pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church against airing footage of their interview.
“I have nothing but love for Pastor Bryant,” said Ray J. “Shout out to Jamal Bryant, shout out to (columnist) Vaughn Alvarez. But in the event you play this interview, someone shall be kidnapped from the pulpit.
He continued: “Don’t replay the interview; it’s not clear, it was out of bounds. Me and Pastor Bryant need to talk because the way I was treated was dirty and illegal and I don’t like it.”
“I do not care in the event you’re from the church or not. Show respect and do right by people.
Brandy’s brother went on to explain his frustrations, suggesting that he felt unsafe and treated unfairly during the conversation. The outspoken star made it clear there could be a “problem” if his demands weren’t met, emphasizing his desire for respect and fair treatment.
“I do not care in the event you’re from the church or not. Show respect and do right by people. Don’t call people by name and don’t make people feel that they usually are not protected in a spot where they thought they were protected,” he added, emphasizing his disappointment with the experience.
Ray J threatened Pastor Jamal Bryant over the publication of an interview he doesn’t want made public. He warned that if the interview was aired, he would seem on stage at Bryant’s church. pic.twitter.com/ux2BRYQQo2
— What is Da Bizness (@whatsdabizness) November 12, 2024
Ray J, who grew up in the church along with his family, ended his message with a direct warning: “I’m telling you now that we have to solve this because if we don’t, it’s going to be a problem.”
Shortly after the stern warning, one other video featuring the “Wait a Minute” singer went viral wherein he stated: “N-ggas just tried to shoot me and tried to kill me, n-gga, and you want me to apologize, n-ggas?” Fuck you.
It’s unclear whether the two videos are related, but fans of Bryant and Ray J.’s podcast have mixed feelings about the daring threat.
“@brandy come and get your little brother,” one follower joked on The Shade Room comment section.
“Well, you just accused yourself! The press accuses Jamal!” one person wrote, while one other felt it was all a part of an overall plan to get more views: “Great interview ad. A marketing stunt by Ray J.”
The “Love & Hip Hop: Miami” star is understood for attracting media attention along with his viral antics, whether it’s the publicity surrounding his sex tape with Kim Kardashian, promoting his brand’s product, or his recent public skirmish with Diddy’s sons. Ray J knows how to develop into popular, but this will not be what fans expected.
“That’s not how it works,” one other fan wrote. “You don’t have any control over whether your interview is published or not, you conducted the interview! Now he’s here and he’s physically threatening someone?
One of Pastor Bryant’s supporters declared, “We would jump on him lol in the name of the Lord.”
Celebrity life coach and “Houseparty” star AJ Johnson also jumped into the comments section and said, “Oh @rayj call me. I’m stuck on how to conduct an interview you do not need to see, where are you threatening??? You are higher than this.
Many people on X were shocked that the former “Moesha” star would publicly come after the good pastor.
“Ray J is literally a spoiled brat turned adult, he’s an insufferable man who refuses to grow up” – one tweet To read.
Another used a meme of Bryant’s ex-wife, Giselle Bryant from “The Real Housewives of Potomac,” adding: “Ray J threatened to kidnap Jamal Bryant from the pulpit if he aired their podcast… I do know the Holy Whore pastor higher not let Brandy’s brother punk him #RHOP“
Ray J threatened to kidnap Jamal Bryant from the pulpit if he aired their podcast…
I do know Pastor Holy Whore higher not let Brother Brandy beat him #RHOP pic.twitter.com/WuCeYzQY6l
— Bravo, Obsessive Bestie💎🍑🌸❄️🍎 (@SomeonesWife86) November 13, 2024
Many were eagerly waiting to see if Bryant and his team would respond or explain the situation. Hours after the post went viral, the Morehouse alum posted a response on his Instagram page.
“I used to be very grateful to have recently interviewed one in all the few mavericks of this generation, @rayj who has made greater than an impact in many alternative fields. It was each surprising and disheartening to get up to baseless threats and baseless accusations directed at me,” Pastor Bryant wrote in the caption, adding: “As a part of our commitment to honest dialogue, now we have made sure that specific comments that will have “The legal consequences have been drafted to withdraw from the job interview to protect the interests of your beloved brother.”
Bryant went on to explain that his podcast’s mission “is to foster authentic and constructive conversations with thought leaders, and this episode was no exception.”
“We are a live-to-tape production company that normally doesn’t make any changes, nevertheless in the spirit of brotherhood this has been resolved by an agreement that no other changes shall be made as The Jamal Bryant Podcast: Let’s Be Clear strives to be serious and transparent in every episode,” he added.
The Atlanta preacher went on to say that “private agreements between him and Ray J. have now been brought to light,” but he will not be “embroiled in a battle that demeans our community and everything it represents.”
He concluded his message by expressing unconditional love for the former “Moesha” star, offering “Grace and peace.”
Many of Bryant’s 748,000 followers chimed in, praising his handling of the situation. Although he refused to crumple to the self-proclaimed Blood, he made an effort to deescalate the tense exchange.
“He has too much soprano in his voice to be threatening,” one follower commented on Ray J., while one other wrote: “Well said, Pastor! We support you!”
One fan added: “You’re nice too, Pastor! He must have hit his head between the washer and dryer.
“We will work for our pastor! Just like the Beyhive steps for Beyoncé…saints walk for the Pastor,” the New Birth member shared.
“So you’re publishing a podcast?” – several followers asked why Bryant revealed that the episode would air on Thursday, November 14 at noon.
One thing is obvious: Bryant’s congregation strongly supports him and is prepared to defend him, even when it means difficult a star like Ray J.
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