Top Dawg Entertainment artist SZA has publicly slammed a publication for denying her request to use a Black photographer.
After the incident, the “Hit Different” singer took to social media to vent about the negative experience.
“I requested a Black photographer for a cover [and] the mag told me no lol,” SZA tweeted. “It’s 2021… and almost Juneteenth. Respectfully I can’t do it 🙄 🤷🏾♀️.”
A fan then asked SZA to name and shame the outlet, but she declined.
“Das not my vibe but there’s TOO many elite black creatives rn to not allow it,” she replied.
She then praised several magazines for doing a much better job than the unidentified publication.
“S/o @RollingStone @Cosmopolitan and @wonderlandmag btw for all using black photogs in our recent covers 💜 gotta celebrate when it’s RIGHT too!🙏🏾💛.”
This is not the first time SZA has spoken out against racial discrimination.
In April 2019, SZA tweeted about her experience of being racially profiled at a local Sephora store.
“Lmao Sandy Sephora location 614 Calabasas called security to make sure I wasn’t stealing. We had a long talk. U have a blessed day Sandy,” she wrote. “Can a bitch cop her fenty in peace er whut[?]”
After the tweet went viral, Sephora promised to investigate the matter.
“We have been informed of an incident at our Calabasas store and in addition to reaching out to SZA directly, we are gathering more information about the incident in order to take the proper next steps. We take complaints like this very seriously, profiling on the basis of race is not tolerated at Sephora. Our purpose has always been rooted in our people and ensuring that Sephora is an inclusive and welcoming space for all our clients.”
In June of that year, all of Sephora’s U.S. stores will close for diversity training—”inclusivity workshops.”
