- Rihanna is facing backlash on social media for her latest Vogue Arabia cover.
- The singer is being criticized for cultural appropriation of Egyptian culture by channeling Queen Nefertiti on the November issue.
- Many on Twitter felt that the publication should've used a model of Egyptian or Arab descent instead.
- This isn't the first time that Vogue Arabia's cover star has come under fire.
- Gigi and Bella Hadid were criticized earlier this year, while Kendall Jenner faced backlash for her Vogue India cover as well.
- Neither Vogue Arabia or Rihanna have responded.
The cover featured Rihanna channeling Queen Nefertiti, an Egyptian royal ruler from the 1300s, with snakeskin coat, metallic blue eyeshadow, a blue-and-gold headdress modeled after the one worn by Nefertiti.
And though Rihanna, who coincidentally has a tattoo of Nefertiti on her ribcage, saw dozens of positive comments gushing over her drool-worthy cover, the singer also faced critics who believed an Arab or Egyptian model should have posed for the cover. (Rihanna is of Barbadian, Irish, and Afro-Guyanese descent—areas not considered a part of the Arab world. )
The backlash ranged from calls of cultural appropriation (considering Rihanna was portraying an Egyptian woman, despite not being Egyptian) to claims that Vogue Arabia perpetuated the notion that black and African people are interchangeable.
Rihannaisn’t the only celebrity who has been criticized for posing on amagazinecover for a country they have no ethnic ties to. Gigi and Bella Hadid have seen similar backlash for posing for Vogue Arabia, while Kendall Jenner was also criticized for modeling for Vogue India in May. Some users, who considered the backlash against Rihanna not as vocal as the others, called out the internet for its alleged hypocrisy.
So far, neither Vogue Arabia norRihannahas responded to the backlash. However, Vogue Arabia‘s Editor-in-Chief, Manuel Arnaut, did mention that cover was meant to signify diversity in his editor’s letter, which will likely stir up more controversy on the internet.
We are dedicating the issue to strong and dynamic women who are changing the world,” Arnaut wrote. “Rihanna, our cover star, is one of them. Not only is she one of the most successful pop icons ever, shaping the entertainment industry with her powerful tunes and unique sense of style, she is also an advocate for diversity.”
http://www.businessinsider.com/rihanna-vogue-arabia-cover-backlash-2017-10
sandcacs in they feelings
They are in the right
Rihanna taking Arab dikk so she thinks they sweet with her now.
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