Piers Morgan is coming for Beyoncé herself. The notoriously outspoken broadcaster has once again found himself at the center of a social media firestorm after he accused Beyoncé of “culturally appropriating Marilyn Monroe” in her latest Levi’s advertisement.
As expected, the Beyhive was not playing, and they swarmed to her defense.
The controversy began when Beyoncé’s new Levi’s campaign was released. The ad shows the Cowboy Carter singer styled with platinum blonde curls, sharp winged eyeliner, and a bold red lip in a look that clearly pays homage to Marilyn Monroe’s iconic 1950s Old Hollywood aesthetic. While many saw a beautiful and powerful tribute, Piers Morgan saw something else entirely.
He took to X, formerly Twitter, to share his “disappointment,” writing, “Very disappointed to see Beyoncé culturally appropriate Marilyn Monroe in her new Levi’s ad.”
The Beyhive wasn’t having it. They quickly hit back at the comments, with one fan sarcastically responding, “Marilyn Monroe is not a culture, Piers.” Other viewers also jumped into the conversation, calling out the ridiculousness of the claim.
Morgan’s attempt to defend his position only added more fuel to the fire. He later claimed his post was “an obvious Beyoncé joke,” adding that the “woke brigade have zero sense of humour.” A photo of him with Beyoncé soon followed, but the Beyhive remained unconvinced.
This isn’t the first time the ad has sparked conversation; some viewers have even drawn comparisons to Sydney Sweeney’s recent American Eagle campaign. But while Morgan may have intended his comment as a joke, he sparked a fierce debate that even caught the attention of music legend Dionne Warwick.
Shortly after Morgan’s comments, Warwick took to X to defend the pop star.
“Getting involved in women’s business again, I see…” the music legend wrote.
Let’s be clear: Beyoncé’s ad was nothing short of stunning. Rocking classic Levi’s, sparkling stilettos, and full pin-up glam, she effortlessly paid homage to Monroe’s aesthetic while putting her own spin on it. If anything, she was reclaiming a piece of history and adding a touch of Black excellence to it.
The Levi’s campaign is part of an ongoing partnership between the denim brand and Beyoncé, first launched in 2024. It aims to reimagine iconic Levi’s looks through the lens of modern-day icons, and who better to lead that charge than Queen Bey?
