Diesel Responds To Backlash for Recruiting Nicki Minaj for Anti-Bullying Campaign
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Fashion brand Diesel just announced Nicki Minaj as one of the faces of its Autumn/Winter 2018 “hate couture” campaign to combat cyberbullying, and critics have voiced some concerns.
Diesel recruited Minaj, Gucci Mane, actors Bella Thorne, Tommy Dorfman and Yoo Ah-in, and model Jonathan Bellini, to be the faces of the line. In the advert video, the celebrities took the most hateful messages they have received on social media and applied the words onto a Diesel design.
You don’t make online hate disappear by hiding it. Introducing #DieselHateCouture feat. @nickiminaj @bellathorne @gucci1017 @tommydorfman @milesdheizer #BarbieFerreira #BriaVinaite #YooAhIn #JonBellini #YoVentura #FW18
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Director #jovantodorovic
Stylist @markymarcmode pic.twitter.com/XXpI9BrsZZ— Diesel (@DIESEL) September 18, 2018
Nicki Minaj’s shirt reads “The Bad Guy,” while Gucci Mane’s says “Fuck You, Impostor.” Proceeds from the sale of the limited-edition pieces will reportedly be donated to anti-bullying programs at its OTB foundation, a non-for-profit organization.
But Twitter users voiced their concerns over the brand choosing Minaj to helm an anti-bullying campaign after the rapper infamously insulted Wanna Thompson, who critiqued her music earlier this summer.
Minaj has also been accused of sicking her fans on critics and inciting online abuse.
After Twitter users criticized the brand working with Nicki Minaj “We’re here to support anyone who’s getting hated on, and Nicki is one of them.”
You know how tone deaf you have to be as a brand to enlist Nicki Minaj to front a campaign to bring cyber-bullying to light? Who was behind this? Do they live under a rock? https://t.co/2AeMj8dsrO
— Wanna (@WannasWorld) September 19, 2018
@DIESEL is making a mockery out of cyber-bullying. There are countless organizations and individuals doing their best to combat the issue and instead of enlisting them you get Nicki Minaj? So irresponsible and counterproductive.
— Wanna (@WannasWorld) September 19, 2018
We’re here to support anyone who’s getting hated on, and Nicki is one of them.
— Diesel (@DIESEL) September 19, 2018
Our enemy is hate, not haters.
— Diesel (@DIESEL) September 19, 2018
@DIESEL y’all made a cyber bully the face of a campaign against cyber bullying. Nicki has sent her fans harrass and beat up people, Nicki has entered peoples DM and insulted them. What is wrong with you?
— The Bussy Dr. (@MrLavalife) September 19, 2018
N*cki and Gucci starring in an anti-cyber bullying campaign is how I know there’s not enough Black people in positions of power within the fashion industry.
— Havilland $avage. (@ToiMeetsWorld) September 19, 2018
Diesel doesn’t seem to be budging on their stance, tweeting, “Haters gonna try to deny the hype.”