Sunday night’s episode of Bravo’s What Happens Next: Live ruffled so many feathers, it’s prompted the hashtag #BoycottBravo to start trending on social media.
The segment was in response to a recent debate that ensued over the weekend when Kylie Jenner rocked cornrows in a new Instagram photo, using the caption: “I woke up like disss.”
Someone commented “#WhiteGirlsDoItBetter” under the picture, which led Hunger Games star Amandla Stenberg to speak up against the divisive hashtag and cultural appropriation in general.
Many found Stenberg’s comment refreshing in an age where many starlets shy away from speaking up about social issues.
However, during Sunday’s broadcast, host Andy Cohen decreed the Twitter feud between the two ladies as the “Jackhole of the Day,” a dubious distinction given to those who make a fool of themselves in the public eye.
Once Cohen made it clear that he thought that it was silly for Stenberg to have a problem with Jenner’s cornrows, his guests for the segment, Laverne Cox and former Vogue Editor-at-Large André Leon Talley were seemingly complicit.
Cohen: “Today’s Jackhole goes to the Instagram feud between Kylie Jenner and ‘Hunger Games’ star/Jaden Smith’s prom date Amandla Stenberg, who criticized Kylie for her cornrows, calling it cultural appropriation. White girls in cornrows … is it OK or nay, Laverne and Andre?”
Talley: “To me, it’s fine.”
Cox: “Um…Bo Derek.”
Given its extensive historical context, many found the panel’s dismissal of cultural appropriation and blasé attitude towards a minor intelligently expressing her frustrations to be disappointing.
Viewers immediately took to Twitter to criticize all three and the Bravo network.
UPDATE: Andy Cohen and Laverne Cox have since issued apologies and explanations for their statements.
https://twitter.com/theodoreftaylor/status/621036418639507456
the REAL jackholes are @BravoAndy @Lavernecox & @andreleontalley for trying to malign a kid, @amandlastenberg. #BOYCOTTBRAVO
— schoolemdacia (@schoolemdacia) July 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/CasaWakaWaka/status/620991486813835264
To be clear. No one is mad stop saying we mad or "fake mad".FOH #BoycottBravo we have a right to voice our opinions! pic.twitter.com/cwE1YGyQN6
— 𝙹𝙴𝙰𝙽𝙽𝙸𝙴 🤍| 𓃵✨ (@JenLaPrincesse) July 14, 2015
https://twitter.com/HausUrban/status/621013358624509952
https://twitter.com/SassyStereotype/status/621003562785574913
https://twitter.com/freeblackgirl/status/620960772806455296
I want to apologize to Amandla. I didn't understand the larger context of this cultural discussion and TRULY (cont) http://t.co/zRSOm2rxtN
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) July 14, 2015
Please check out my thoughts on #CulturalAppropriation post my appearance on #WWHL on Sunday http://t.co/5UQilmGCkF @amandlastenberg
— Laverne Cox (@Lavernecox) July 14, 2015
