Halsey Calls Out the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show’s 'Lack of Inclusivity'
Halsey, who performed at this year’s Victoria Secret Fashion Show, called out the annual lingerie spectacle on Instagram Sunday night (December 2).
“I have adored the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show since I was young,” the “Bad at Love” singer posted as the runway special was airing on ABC. “Performing this year alongside other amazing artists and hardworking models/friends was supposed to be the best night of my year. However, after I filmed the performance, some comments were made regarding the show that I simply cannot ignore.”
Halsey is most likely referring to the controversial comments Victoria’s Secret chief marketing officer Ed Razek made about the show’s not-so-inclusive casting history. “It’s like, why doesn’t your show do this? Shouldn’t you have transsexuals in the show? No. No, I don’t think we should. Well, why not? Because the show is a fantasy,” he said.
Several transgender models took issue with Razek’s statement, including Andreja Pejic, who wrote on Instagram, “It’s really sad when you see powerful people in our industry holding such backward views and being so comfortable in expressing them on a public platform.”
Now Halsey is speaking out. “As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I have no tolerance for a lack of inclusivity,” she wrote. “Especially not one motivated by stereotype. If you’re on my page because you watched my performance tonight, please allow me to instead direct your attention to GLSEN: An organization that offers services aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ youth. And with respect to those youth targeted by these comments in a world where they have been made to feel ‘other,’ I have made a sizable donation in their honor.”
She continued, “If you are a trans person reading this, and these comments made you feel alienated or invalidated, please know that you have allies. We stand in solidarity, and complete and total acceptance is the only ‘fantasy’ that I support.”
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