Rihanna‘s Fenty Beauty launch received high praise for offering a wide range of foundation shades (many of which are still sold out) and also for tapping models of all skin colors to front campaign imagery.
In a Twitter exchange, a fan suggested Rihanna cast a trans woman in her next campaign, writing, “Fenty campaign is awesome, next time you record something should invite a trans girl to the group.”
Using a DM response Rihanna let it be known she’s not interested in using trans women as a one-off marketing ploy. “I’ve had the pleasure of working with many gifted trans women over the years,” she wrote, “but I don’t go around doing trans castings! Just like I don’t do straight non trans women castings. I respect all women. Whether they’re trans or not is none of my business.”
“I don’t think it’s fair that a trans woman, or man, be used as a convenient marketing tool,” she added. “Too often I see companies doing this to trans and black women alike. There’s always just that one spot in the campaign for the token ‘we look mad diverse’ girl/guy! It’s sad!”
Check out the exchange below.
When I thought she couldn’t teach me more… @rihanna ❤ pic.twitter.com/iAX3kJBAr1
— savage (@lbertootero) November 29, 2017