Lily Allen defends 'Hard Out Here' music video against racist allegations
theGRIO REPORT - British singer Lily Allen is defending her music video “Hard Out Here” against racist allegations...
British singer Lily Allen is defending her new music video “Hard Out Here” against racist allegations.
The controversy stems from its multiple images of black women twerking and champagne bottles being popped, that some bloggers are deeming as racially insensitive.
Allen caught wind of the backlash and addressed it in a statement using her twitlonger account.
Privilege, Superiority and Misconceptions
1. If anyone thinks for a second that I requested specific ethnicities for the video, they’re wrong.
2. If anyone thinks that after asking the girls to audition, I was going to send any of them away because of the colour of their skin, they’re wrong.
3. The message is clear. Whilst I don’t want to offend anyone. I do strive to provoke thought and conversation. The video is meant to be a lighthearted satirical video that deals with objectification of women within modern pop culture. It has nothing to do with race, at all.
4. If I could dance like the ladies can, it would have been my arse on your screens; I actually rehearsed for two weeks trying to perfect my twerk, but failed miserably. If I was a little braver, I would have been wearing a bikini too, but I do not and I have chronic cellulite, which nobody wants to see. What I’m trying to say is that me being covered up has nothing to do with me wanting to disassociate myself from the girls, it has more to do with my own insecurities and I just wanted to feel as comfortable as possible on the shoot day.
5. I’m not going to apologise because I think that would imply that I’m guilty of something, but I promise you this, in no way do I feel superior to anyone, except paedophiles, rapists murderers etc., and I would not only be surprised but deeply saddened if I thought anyone came away from that video feeling taken advantage of,or compromised in any way.
6. Ask the ladies yourselves @shalaeuroasia @monique_Lawz @ceodancers @TempleArtist@SelizaShowtime @melycrisp
The Twitter accounts at the bottom of statement belong to the black and brown dancers who performed the dance number in question with Allen.
Do you believe her fan base is overreacting? Let us know what you think in the comments below.
