Always one to garner headlines for her music, her looks and her fashion, music superstar Rihanna is now getting headlines for her remarks on the transgender community.
After a fan left an Instagram comment urging her to hire a “trans girl” for her Fenty Beauty campaigns, Rihanna responded by saying that she wasn’t about to token the trans community and just hire a person because they are trans.
The “We Found Love” singer said that she was not going to use trans people as “a marketing tool.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with many gifted trans women throughout the years, but I don’t go around doing trans casting!” she wrote in response on Instagram. “Just like I don’t do straight non trans women castings! I respect all women, and whether they’re trans or not is none of my business! It’s personal and some trans women are more comfortable being open about it than others so I have to respect that as a woman myself! I don’t think it’s fair that a trans woman, or man, be used as a marketing tool! Too often do I see companies doing this to trans and black women alike! There’s always just one spot in the campaign for the token ‘we look mad diverse’ girl/guy! It’s sad!”
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Rihanna’s comment is yet another moment in a year of newsworthy moments for the star. Earlier in November, Time named Fenty Beauty one of the best inventions of 2017.
