Pharrell
Williams covers the latest issue of Elle magazine wearing a colourful Native
American headdress and he immediately came under fire for his controversial
styling which has been called out for being disrespectful and inappropriate.
Several users took aim at the 'Happy' singer via Twitter and Facebook, voicing
their outrage over the styling of the cover shot. One user wrote: “Blatant
disrespect to Native people and cultural traditions is really disgusting. As a
major magazine, you should already know better.” Another added: “Our
Culture is not an accessory! How dare the War Bonnet be worn in the same
fashion as the Arby’s 10 gallon monstrosity. Money, fame and wealth cannot make
one exempt from or pardoned of a racist act. Color on color crime is on display
here. Sorry but that’s how I feel.”
The
publication itself also courted controversy. Elle wrote on their website that
they were behind the idea, asking the singer to trade in his signature hat for
the headdress. The statement, which has now been removed, said: “We
persuaded ELLE Style Award winner Pharrell to trade his Vivienne Westwood
mountie hat for a native American feather headdress in his best ever shoot.”
They altered the line to now read: “Continuing our tradition of featuring
cult male icons on collector’s edition covers we persuaded ELLE Style Award
winner Pharrell to collaborate with us on his best ever shoot.”
Pharrell
reached out to apologize personally about the controversy, even though the
magazine has yet to issue a statement. The singer commented: "I
respect and honor every kind of race, background and culture. I am genuinely
sorry."
