Will.I.Am showed up at the MTV Video Awards’ pre-show in “blackface.” Sort of. Is it weird that when I saw these photos, my first reaction wasn’t “I’m so offended” but actually “Oh, I bet he was going for a consistent fashion statement – black jacket, black makeup, it makes the glasses pop.” Do you think Will did it without really knowing he would offend people? That he was just going for a “look” rather than a political statement? Or do you think he knew what he was doing and was trying to get attention? Eh.
Will.I.am has caused controversy by attending 2010 MTV Video Music Awards in an “all black everything” ensemble. The Black Eyed Peas star wore black outfit from head to toe, literally, with his face painted dark.
Apparently learning that his choice of fashion style has offended some people, will.i.am quickly wrote on his Twitter to downplay the issue. He started his self-defense, “1st. just because I where all black including head mask as expression and emphasize my outfit, it shouldn’t be looked at as racial…”
“Let go of the past. there are far more important things 2 bark about. (Jobs, health, education) not a black man wearing all black everything,” he continued. “Are you guys serious? my outfit set ‘black people back 100 yrs’ choose your twits wisely. no education sets people back, no jobs, bad health.”
While some people slammed will.i.am, Lil Duval took it as a comedy. “I think will i am took a dip in the oil spill for that performance,” he posted on his own page, referring to the rapper’s “Check It Out” performance with Nicki Minaj. Duval later on added, “I’m a comedian people so if u get upset u look real stupid.”
Blackface first gained popularity during the 19th century and typically promotes racist stereotypes toward African Americans. Earlier this year, Estelle also came under fire for using black paint to cover her body and face in “Freak” music video. At that time, she responded to the controversy, saying “I’m black, so how do I do blackface? Missy [Elliott] did the same thing [with her video]. She’s a B***h. I refuse to defend it, I didn’t put any white ring around my mouth – never that.”
[From Ace Showbiz]
Yes, I can see how some people would be offended, and I understand that point of view. But I can totally see how Will would do it just thinking about the fashion and styling aspect of it, and how he’s not making a comment about race whatsoever. Eh. Also, does blackface always equal racism? Even when it’s done to make political or fashion statements? Weird.
Here’s Will.I.am performing with Nicki Minaj on the pre-show:
Hmm, I don’t think so.
Someone always has to bitch about some infraction.
the guy is black he can wear all the black paint he wants!relax people…
The bitchers and whiners just try to suck the fun out of everything, don’t they?
I don’t understand how him looking like a mentally challenged seal would be offensive to anyone. I don’t think blackface on a black person is racist or offensive. Stupid, but not offensive
Well every year there is some manufactured controversy at the VMAs. Maybe this was supposed to be it-but no one cared.
If Lady Gaga would ‘ve pulled this then Mtv would’ve given it their stamp of approval…Will-i-am is a black man and as a black person , my question is how the hell is this offensive?How can you use a “black-face” when you’re already black.it’s body paint.It’s funny how when the real racist do it to degrade blacks then nobody finds it “offensive” then.Get off of the man.
Jesus Christ. At what point are people going to start pushing back HARD at these idiots crying RAAACIST at every possible turn. We are reaching the point where a genuine act of racism is just going to get shrugged off because we take an entire news cycle to debate if a black man has the “right” to paint himself a slightly darker shade of black.
Serenity Now!!!!!!!!!
Doesn’t offend me at all. After Gaga wearing meat, I was blind to the others. Plus, I cannot see how race factors into the equation either.
I watched the VMA’s last night and until I clicked on this article, I had no idea that:
1) It was even Will.i.am was underneath all of that paint. I recognized the voice but the singer was unrecognizable to me
2) Anyone would even find this offensive
When I have seen previous examples of “blackface”, the person draws white around their mouth. Will was head to toe black…let alone he is a dark-skinned black man for crikey sakes!!!
Now I have to jump over to Bossip or Necole Bitchie to see if the black gossip websites are jumping on the “offensive blackface” bandwagon or if they are scratching their heads (as I am!) and what the fuss was all about.
It was the first time I have ever seen Nicki Minaj and other than borrowing a bit from Missy Elliot, I thought she was pretty good.
I like the comment that it was just a statement about the oil spill. He could have just as easily said “Im not wearing black face I just went swimming in the gulf!”
I dont think it’s offensive or racist I think he did it for his outfit/look.
The word “racist” is so over used now it’s almost lost all clout.
I don’t think “blackface” is just putting black paint on your face. There’s an offensive racial element that has to be added for it to be considered “blackface.”
As far as I can see, will.i.am just put black paint on his face. Geez. People should learn a thing or two before they decide black paint is so offensive.
I don’t think Celebitchy really understands what blackface is and every time you comment on it you guys get it wrong. I understand that you are trying to open up discussion on some topics, but you need to do your homework.
Nonetheless, Will.I.Am was actually dressed as a robot. The performance was boring and not that interesting but the concept was pretty evident.
People are reading into this too much.
It’s blackface, but it’s not Black Face. I’d think no different if he painted his face all blue. I think he wanted to match his jacket.
A case of the boy who cried wolf… in this case the idiots who are bitching about this. Is you bitch about this non-event, people will have tuned you out when there is REALLY something you want noticed.
I agree he was wearing MAKEUP/Body Paint not “blackface”. It was part of his overall costume. Some people are so stupid and overly sensitive.
And he’s right, it’s not “blackface” but education, health and jobs that make a difference.
Colour me ignorant, but I didn’t think it was actually possible for a black man to “blackface,” considering he has a black… face…
Hmm… my brain hurts now.
@chasingadalia 🙂
Good thing people don’t have to set their eyes on chimney sweeps anymore or they’d be on the politically correct shitlist too.
Oh he’s racist for painting his already black face black but Chelsea Handler gets to make all those over the top race jokes at the VMAs? Boggles the mind!
I agree with Caprice that more education is needed when it comes to Minstrelry…not to be confused with “c**ning” which Spike Lee addressed pretty well in ‘Bamboozled.’
It’s not Black Face unless there’s a white person underneath.
Unless of course that white person is GaGa, to which people would be drooling and peeing their pants about it being “performance art.”
Im a black female, and I really do think it was more of a total fashion statement, I can however see how some people would be offend, even if he is a black man, but lets just not take race so seriouly all the time,, its not always about race,
When I first read Will’s tweets I was like: ‘SERIOUSLY? PEOPLE GOT OFFENDED? WHY?’ but now I totally get it. Anyway, Will is an amazing person, and an amazing artist.. he wouldnt paint his face black just to offend people, that’s not who he is… besides, he always wears ‘robot-outfits’ when he’s on stage (for The END world tour, I mean), so it was just another of his ‘robot-outfits’, which looked really good on him, btw. Media is always looking for something to bitch about, I hate that.
It was a great performance.
um, he IS black.
it had nothing to do with “blackface”, it was done for aesthetic & fashion.
people are so quick to pull the race card on things that have absolutely nothing to do with race.
Painting your face black does not make it ‘blackface’. His face paint was as simple as trying match the rest of his get up. I think his accusers need to read up on what exactly black face is.
I’m offended by that performance.. THAT was horrible.
I’m offended by the Blue Man Group. I mean, dressing up in Blue Face…
do the people who say he was wearing “blackface” actually know what black face is?????
He painted himself black, that’s NOT BLACKFACE DAMNIT.
In blackface, the lips are usually painted in an exaggerated way with white or pink facepaint.
Was Gag-a smelling a bit gamey, do you think? I get queasy just looking at that mess.
*disclaimer: i am black 🙂
1) he’s black….and as far as “blackface” goes his face is ALREADY BLACK people lol how can he be doing blackface with a BLACK FACE?
2) blackface is offensive when the person wearing it is impersonating negative stereotypes about blacks…which uhhh he did not do
3) clearly it was to dramatize his all-black outfit.
4) who the fk was criticizing him?? they are idiots. i hate people who seem to look for every opportunity to scream “Racism!” or “He’s being offensive!” without thinking rationally or knowing their history
Hahaha @Liana.
Cheeeze, Nicki Minaj’s performance was sucksville. Never heard her before but this is tone deaf city.
As a black person my opinion is the same as prettyme:
the guy is black he can wear all the black paint he wants!relax people…
I’m indifferent about it, however, I reserve the right to get on my high horse about such behaviour in the future if it presents me with an opportunity to claim moral superiority in a thread debate.
Nicki Minaj’s face (or ridiculous facial expressions more to the point) was more offensive than will.i.am’s color coordinated face.