Kim Kardashian branded 'racist' for latest Halloween costume
Over the weekend, Kim Kardashian tried to overtake Heidi Klum as the queen of Halloween.
Dressing up not once, not twice, but three times, the 37-year-old star impressed with her Cher and Madonna costumes.
However, it was her Saturday night look that caused the most stir.
Kim was spotted attending a party in LA dressed as Aaliyah; the singer who died in a 2001 plane crash at the age of 22.
Baby Girl Aaliyah pic.twitter.com/5GUHkNJgNi
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) October 29, 2017
Of course, Kim was trying to pay homage to the musical icon with her studded bra, huge rhinestone choker and leather trousers aka the exact same outfit that Aaliyah wore in her ‘Try Again’ video.
But instead, some people thought that the ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’ star shouldn’t be using a woman of colour as inspiration for Halloween.
Within minutes of Kim sharing her look on Twitter, fans began to pipe up, asking why the Kardashian had chosen such an ‘offensive’ look.
Legend or not Aaliyah is a black woman and you’re not. It’s offensive and you shouldn’t push this limit, but ok…
— Blogger Cassie (@LAGrlCrookdSmle) October 29, 2017
I don’t want Kim Kardashian dressing up as Aaliyah just like I don’t want Beyoncé dressing up as Sacajawea. It’s not deep, y’all shallow
— Jatella; (@jatella) October 29, 2017
#KimKardashian is a decent #Aaliyah. HOWEVER, I don’t agree w/the culture appropriation. You just take what you want & don’t help the cause
— gardensflower36 (@gardensflower36) October 29, 2017
“Legend or not Aaliyah is a black woman and you’re not. It’s offensive and you shouldn’t push this limit, but ok…,” tweeted one woman.
“I don’t want Kim Kardashian dressing up as Aaliyah just like I don’t want Beyoncé dressing up as Sacajawea. It’s not deep, y’all shallow,” said another, adding: “Kim shouldn’t have dressed up as Aaliyah because White Women have always played dress up in Black femininity while Black femmes die.”
The cultural appropriation debate continued with another woman commenting: “Kim Kardashian is a decent Aaliyah. HOWEVER, I don’t agree w/the culture appropriation. You just take what you want & don’t help the cause.”
Some people however have defended Kardashian, pointing out that she didn’t do anything controversial like ‘blackface’.
What’s the issue with Kim Kardashian dressing up as Aaliyah? IT’S HALLOWEEN Y’all acting as if she did black face. pic.twitter.com/U7t6QXVbPd
— (tay-lour) rae. (@xotaylourrae) October 29, 2017
I HATE when y’all make me defend Kim Kardashian but her Aaliyah costume was nothing even adjacent to cultural appropriation. Please stop.
— Icarus. (@xMurderCWrote) October 29, 2017
“What’s the issue with Kim Kardashian dressing up as Aaliyah? IT’S HALLOWEEN. Y’all acting as if she did black face,” tweeted one supporter.
“I HATE when y’all make me defend Kim Kardashian but her Aaliyah costume was nothing even adjacent to cultural appropriation. Please stop,” stated another.
What do you think? Was Kim’s Halloween costume a step too far or a tribute done right?
Click below to see history’s most controversial celebrity Halloween costumes:
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