SZA Condemns “Classic Misogynoir” After Criticismโฃ of Cynthia ErivoS redโ Carpet Actions
Singer SZA has spoken out against what she calls “classic misogynoir” โfollowing online backlash directed at โขCynthia Erivo for seemingly โshielding Ariana Grande from photographers on a โขrecent red carpet.The incidentโค sparked โขdebate about the treatment of โฃBlack women protecting โwhite celebrities, with many accusing criticsโฃ of devaluing Erivo’s actions and exhibitingโ racial andโฃ gender bias.
The controversy โขunfolded as Erivo gently guided Grande along the red carpet, appearing to positionโค herselfโ betweenโค the singer and aggressive photographers during a promotional eventโ forโข the film Wicked.Someโข social media users criticized Erivo, suggesting she was overly protective โขof Grande while simultaneously overlooking similar treatment of other stars. SZA responded to theโฃ criticism in a TikTok comment, stating, โ”Kim Kardashian and so many โother women have been chosen. I’m also man of the โyear. It’s โคthe category name .. not an identity.. I’m sorry but this is a non topic.” SZA’s comment highlights a broader pattern of disproportionate scrutiny and expectation placed on Black women in the entertainment industry.
The incidentโ comes amid increased attention โฃon the pressures faced by celebrities regarding their public image and physicalโข appearance. Ariana Grande recently issued a “kind reminder” to fans not to comment on her body, following press coverage of her appearance duringโฃ the โฃ Wicked โpressโข tour.โ Erivo herself recently shared an emotional farewellโ to herโ character, Elphaba, on Instagram, writing, “Take my hand and walk with meโข to theโค end of this road paved with goldโฃ and hopefully, the things that โฃI’ve found, might find โyou too.” โค
Wicked:โฃ For Good received a three-starโ review from NME, with critic nickโค Levine praising the climacticโข rendition of “For Good” as “theโ oneโข truly showstopping moment.” The film, however, “doesn’t defy gravity like its predecessor but fans will want to hold space for a โsequel with a very poignant payoff.” Theโ ongoing discourse โคsurrounding the film’s stars underscores โฃthe complexโฃ dynamicsโ of celebrity, race, and gender โฃin the public eye, and the need forโฃ continued awarenessโฃ of biasesโฃ within media coverage and online commentary.
