Lupita Nyong’o had a great week. We didn’t end up discussing her exhaustively because she wasn’t writing New York Times essays about her look, nor was she trying to convince us that her butt cheeks were Peak Feminism. Lupita did what she always does – she looked great and made a statement without saying a word. That is, she didn’t say anything until Vogue Magazine compared her hairstyle to Audrey Hepburn’s hair in a Bert Stern editorial. You can read Vogue’s piece here – I didn’t find Vogue’s two-paragraph blurb offensive in the least, they were just making a fashion reference and there was no shade intended. But Lupita wanted to gently correct the record – her Met Gala hair was not a reference to Audrey Hepburn. This was her reference:
The Root said Lupita “clapped back” at Vogue with this IG. Did she? Or was she just correcting Vogue in a classy way? While Vogue should have been more sensitive about the hair references Lupita was making, I also completely understand why Vogue compared Lupita to Audrey in general, and it’s a comparison I’ve made before too. Whenever I see Lupita on a red carpet, I always think “she’s such a princess.” I mean that in the nice way, that she seems like beautiful royalty, in the same way that Audrey always looked like a princess.
And not only did Lupita look great at the Met Gala, she also earned her first-ever Tony Award nomination for her work in Eclipsed. Following her Tony nomination, Lena Dunham’s Lenny newsletter published an essay by Lupita where she discussed her choice to star in a small play rather than just take smaller film roles. It’s a great read – go here for the essay.
Photos courtesy of Instagram, Fame/Flynet, WENN.
Love the correction. This is like the “boxer braid” versus cornrows nonsense.
It’s so annoying, especially considering that before this article, they already had an article and interview where she said Nina Simone was her inspiration. The frame of reference is always other white people, even when stated otherwise. Vogue is so out of touch with reality, you’d think they’d know better. Willful ignorance.
Yes, this is what I was going to say: Lupita was asked what her inspiration was and she was forthcoming, “Nina Simone” as well as other women in black culture. Being vogue they decided that was not relatable enough, and they replaced it with a white woman. This is tremendously disheartening to me. And let me clarify, I am a white woman. I want a world that includes different cultures, that represent different races and ethnicities. And yet here is the completely out of touch of Vogue magazine whitewashing this because …why?! Oh because white women are more consumable for the reader. It’s disgusting and it’s racism.
But guys Vogue is a huge supporter of the most interesting mixed race couple! Bwahahahaha. Sorry. I couldn’t help it.
Did Vogue change its text? They say she named Nina Simone as her inspiration and then say the hairstyle is also reminiscent of Hepburn. Or is the problem that they used a photo of Hepburn instead of Simone? ‘Cause I understand if the photo is the issue; not so much if people don’t like what Vogue said.
I think they were comparing her to a style icon. There is no win to this. If they pulled a black woman it would be racist, too because they didn’t compare her to someone like Audrey Hepburn.
“If they pulled a black woman it would be racist, too because they didn’t compare her to someone like Audrey Hepburn.”
Noooo. I disagree.
I thought Marge Simpson was her reference.
Or that one Muse from Xanadu. Although perhaps she and the Muse shared the same inspiration! I’m actually very pleased with Lupita’s hairstyle and her sharing the proper reference photo. Well done!
If only Vogue would cast their net wider as far as references. As soon as i saw Lupita’s hairstyle, i thought she was referencing a very African hairstyle, tribal or from the 70s or both.
Africa has never been the dark ages. In fashion terms or otherwise. Vogue really needs to do better.
I think so too and I remember your comment about it.
Vogue was thinking of running an African edition of the magazine a couple of years ago. They had some mock-up covers in case it became a reality. You can google the covers in Google Images (Vogue Africa).
I find this interesting but still problematic. Africa is a continent with diverse countries and cultures. What’s relevant in SA (where frankly they’re more likely to sell) is not in Kenya or Nigeria or Morocco.
I agree. I think Sarah Palin thinks it’s all one country though. Not keen on the hair but that face is exquisite.
Vogue’s frames of reference tend to be Western culture. Lupita has other frames of reference. Love her correction – expands our knowledge.
Vogue (any of them) isn’t interested in expanding their knowledge. Don’t get me started on Vogue Paris’ ‘Rasta is back’ tweet.
This.
She is correcting the presumption that her reference is Western/Eurocentric and putting the cultural credit back where it came from – lest the assumption, by omission, that Afrocentric culture can’t be in inspiring to a young woman go unchallenged.
She’s probably hoping people might choose to learn something, or at least open their minds, to a frequently misrepresented culture instead of implying she’s just remonstrating.
The thing people sometimes forget and no I don’t think she clapped back, merely corrected, is how much of society’s reference in life are white/European based.
I remember being truly intrigued when in college a professor said he sees black girls on social media nickname themselves the ‘black Madonna’ or ‘black Marilyn Monroe’ and he challenged why those same girls didn’t call themselves the ‘Lena Horne’ or ‘Dorothy Dandridge’. Because they grew up in a society where those black women weren’t held up to the same pop culture standard and those young girls couldn’t realize there was an equivalent just for them.
Vogue referenced her to a white celebrity because they’re a white company and in their minds they couldn’t imagine a reference outside of that white culture. It’s like how magazines are happy to call every black feature or style aesthetic ‘Kardashian inspired’.
excellent point. everyone has seen it, but just in case one newbie here hasn’t: watch the video of the updated “Doll Test”. you will cry.
Well now I have to watch this and the original made me WEEP! Even when I think of it. It wasn’t the one with the picture but the one where they just showed them the two dolls. When they say “Show me the bad doll” and the black girl points at the black doll it KILLS ME. Already tearing up remembering it. So incredibly sad.
Very well said. What Vogue did was not malicious, it ignorant. Lupita did not ‘clap back’ but turned it into a teachable moment. Good for her.
Well this is the same Vogue that named Kim and Kanye best dressed. So there’s that. At this point I wish vogue would just sail off into the sunset, never to be heard of again.
Amen!
We should do one of those Viking funerals where they shoot a fiery arrow at the raft as it floats away.
Ditto. I can’t believe this is the same magazine I saw as the pinnacle of sophistication when I was a freshman in college. I remember when I was a freshman, one of the seniors I looked up to style-wise got Vogue in the mail. I wanted so much to look like a Vogue girl.
I can’t believe this is the same magazine. Vogue: PLEASE get a new editor in chief. Wintour’s had her day. I can’t believe she’s so permanently ensconced. i believe their circulation’s down
Love the correction. I don’t see it as a clapback. More so a give credit where credit is due type of thing. The fashion industry has a habit of whitewashing fashion trends and pretending as if certain things haven’t been worn for centuries by African cultures. I love that she’s introducing Hollywood to things they’ve never seen before. She’s opening eyes and minds.
Sidenote: I had cornrows a few weeks ago and I’ve been wearing them off and on since I was a kid. A woman at Starbucks came up to me and said “I love your Kardashian braids! They look so good on you.” I was like 😑
😐😔😠
Yikes. What’d you say Almond? I’m normally a non-confrontational person but that ish right there would have ‘mashed me corn’ as we used to say back in the day.
Lol! I said “thanks so much! I’ve actually been wearing them since elementary school so I think the Kardashian’s are copying ME!” The woman had a good laugh and I tried to chuckle along with her but I was still pretty annoyed.
Oh my goodness, Almond Joy. You sound so charming and graceful under pressure! What a perfect response.
I’m horrified by how clueless this woman is but I am even more impressed by your gracious and humorous answer to her. You must be a lovely person!
Tiffany and Paleo: Thanks! I honestly didn’t know how else to respond. It’s horrifying and clueless for sure. People really don’t get it. So out of touch.
😑😑😑😑😑
With a little
😤 and 😪 thrown in.
Don’t worry almond, one day that nice lady will compliment someone else on their ‘North West Afro puff’ and catch the wrong one.
Lawwwwd Eternal 😩 And the crazy thing is it’s already happened. There was an article a few months ago (can’t remember if it was Vogue or Elle or another) saying that North West’s hairstyle has encouraged women to embrace their naturally curly hair. I was like ok seriously??
kardashian braids, lol. people are crazy.
They invented cornrows, didn’t you know?
Ohhh, dear lord.
Exactly. As if we don’t have our own cultural icons that have been doing this ish for ages. Not only that but a lot of this stuff was co-opted by white people. So yea good for her correcting this nonsense
I haven’t had that happen to me yet but I think I would go on a rant if someone said that the hairstyle that I had been wearing on and off since my hair could be braided is Kardashian inspired. I read an article a few weeks ago about how a lot of the styles that Black people have been wearing for centuries are now being whitewashed and given entirely new names like Bantu knots being called “twisted mini buns” that have been invented by Bjork and Marc Jacobs. LMAO.
i think i read the same article about black hair and it infuriated me
Good for correcting her. Vogue should know better but then again they are out of touch anyway.
Kardashian braids? Glass of water for Mr. Grainger.
Wait. Are you all saying Bo Derek didn’t invent those braids?
I’m kidding! 😀
i’d have been pissed off and rude but your response was better because she may have learned something and not repeat that comment again
That was so much more classy and gracious than how I would’ve responded. Something along the lines of, “Since the Kardashians endlessly appropriate my culture and people don’t seem to understand that, I can see why you think I’m wearing their hairstyle.”
Kardashian braids…smdh. Wow.
Question, and I’m sorry to sidetrack the discussion (because I think Lupita’s response was great), but when did “clap back” become a phrase? What is the origin? I’m hearing it all the time now and I hate it.
It’s been a phrase in the black community for a good ten years now, started to enter the pop culture sphere recently with shows like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and Twitter.
Literally used to reference clapping back while shutting someone down, now can just mean a pointed and strong rebuttal.
Right, Eternal. Clap back is an ANGRY/HIGHLY FRUSTRATED response (Think: Kevin Hart did a “bit” on this as someone in an argument that claps their hands in btwn or behind each word for emphasis. Not saying *that’s* where it came from, but…).
Lupita gave a measured response.
Sometimes a response/correction is simply that.
IMO, it seems to have reached “bling bling” status, where it has become over played and sounds hokey.
Ugh, I agree. Like “shade” or “no chill” or “Becky”. As soon as white people grasp hold of something that’s been around in the black community for years, it just naturally becomes so try-hard and basic.
Thanks for the insight!
The thing is, she did a red carpet interview where she told them explicitly that her inspiration was Nina Simone and traditional african hairstyles. Vogue chose to ignore that and say she was aluding to Audrey Hepburn. That’s not ok and I’m glad she corrected them then and there.
I think she’s being a tad sensitive. Most comparisons were of Marge Simpson. She should be honored, Audrey was a legend, not just beautiful or a great actress, but in her humanitarian work. Even if Nina was her inspiration, one can understand misinterpretations. Yesterday, Madonna and SJP, these women are really so self-involved. It was a flipping party, don’t get your panties in a bunch.
You have completely missed the point. She’s not being sensitive at all.
Cmon, Nancy. Minimizing the point she was trying to get across.
Yeah you completely missed her point.
It’s not about being sensitive. It’s about having your culture respected for once. Audrey Hepburn is and will continue to be touted as the end all be all, but that wasn’t Lupita’s inspiration and she told them as much on the red carpet when they interviewed her.
@ Nancy
Lupita didnt go on a Multiple twitter rant or be rude.She just gently reminded them of her inspiration with one single insta pic not a think piece
Bear in mind that this is after already telling Vougue thermselves on the red carpet what her inspiration was in the first place . How is that sensitive ?? I think people using the term “clapback here are just being sensational,
It’s easy to have this opinion when you’re not experiencing the erasure or invisibility of your culture all the time. White is taken as the default and therefore everything else is “other”. It’s not surprising that a hopelessly out of touch publication like Vogue immediately reaches for a white icon in this instance. Black icons lack the VISIBILITY in the dominant culture to be equally recognized for their influence.
Her look is beautiful and her response was perfect and educational.
Indeed. Although when I see her, the word that comes to mind isn’t princess, it’s goddess. Her face is so perfect and her skin so flawless, its hard to believe she is a mere mortal.
She told Andre Leon Talley on the red carpet, when specifically asked, that the inspiration was African women + Nina Simone. So Vogue didn’t need to be putting up a picture of Audrey Hepburn.
And yes, that is a well deserved clap back.
I SAID Queen of Zamunda Realness AND BY GOD! it was what it was! Slay Queen.. ( and educate as well Cause Vogue and Elle and Glamour and Cosmo STAYYYYY being stupid/ oblivious and aiding and abetting some columbusing on the Reg!)
Thank you for the Queen of Zamunda reference. 😀
you so nailed it the other day.
i love her dignity in all things. she is engaged accommodating and gracious without ever being a doormat.
“She’s your queeeen to ooh beeeeee…”
YASSSSSS
” A Queen-to-be forever. A Queen who’ll do whatever his highness desires. She’s your Queen-to-be. A vision of perfection. An object of affection to quench your royal fire.”
Good for her. She doesn’t have to forget where she came from in order to be accepted. Her inspiration was from black women and she made sure to let it be known.
I don’t think she’s being sensitive at all. It is a honor to be compared to Audrey Hepburn. But she was not her inspiration this time. Nothing wrong to tell where her inspiration actually came from.
Why must Vogue or anyone look at it sensitively as a clapback? She is factually stating her inspiration. It’s not a rant.
100% agree. I don’t see it as a clapback. Just a simple correction.
And if she’d not EXPLICITLY told Andre Leon Tally who her inspiration was I’d have no problem with Vogue making the Audrey reference either. It’s definitely a compliment to be compared to her. But in this case, Vogue was wrong and there was no reason for it: She’d already told everyone who her true inspiration was.
Vogue’s frame of reference was Vogue. That photo of Audrey Hepburn was taken by Vogue in 1963. I think they were trying to say “Look, we’re still relevant!” And now it’s on the internet so many people will have that impression. Marketing at its best.
Good for Lupita for correcting them
ffs, it’s not a clap back. It’s a simple correction.
I don’t think she was ‘clapping back'(already sick of this phrase), she was correcting them on her real inspiration. I’m glad she made them, and others, aware of it! All cultures should be celebrated. She was politely making Vogue and the general public more aware. Good for her!
I like the whole look! Beautiful.
To add, did anyone wear a 3D printed dress? Lupita could have pulled it off with the hair. Oh heck, she can pull off a lot of things.
Legit question: if vogue had claimed her hair inspiration to be who it actually was would that have been racist? Assuming they didn’t ask her at all (which sounds like they made their own assumptions) if they had just assumed would they have been criticized then too?
They did ask her. Diana B made mention of this above and I also think Mcraw did. But if she hadn’t told them, I doubt they would have assumed. Chances are they aren’t even aware of the gorgeous woman above.
In a culture of ignorance, yes. People would have assumed it was a racist connection.
In a culture of informed people, it would have been a nod of acknowledgement or a meh!! Depending on how strongly one felt about it.
I saw only now Lupita’s pics, I’m happy about her correction, and I’m amazed about her elegance, after so many pics about the Met gala I was a bit disheartened.
So pleased she didn’t let this lie – it would have been so easy to ignore this unforgivably lazy ignorance and navel-gazing on Vogue’s part, and if she were lesser than she is, might just have taken it as a compliment.
Her strong sense of who she is and what’s important to her is so refreshing, considering the industry she’s in, and that it’s accompanied by so much natural beauty and intelligent grace makes me think/hope that her future will be hugely bright and fruitful.
Kaiser your writing is better than ever! Love this post.
I kind of feel like Vogue is lazy for the “Audrey” reference. It just seems that anytime there is anything fashion related, her names pops up. I get it, she was a “queen” of her day but there are other fashion icons out there.
I agree, that’s their default setting. Imagine how much more interesting their article would’ve been had they listened to Lupita when she told them where her inspiration comes from. But they don’t want to change, they probably feel talking about Kanye West and his wife is them being inclusive and a true picture of the American landscape.
I think the fact that you think she’s such a princess and think Audrey Hepburn instead of the many many historical African princesses speaks to a general bias and the point that Lupita was trying to make.
I’m going to say it: The black and white picture looks just like TItus Burgess (Titus Andromedon from Kimmy Schmidt). It’s a beautiful picture, and I love the classy correction, but I just can’t unsee the similarity.
Lupita looked gorgeous. One of my favorite looks. And i loved her hair.
Any modern day actress should be honored to be compared to Audrey Hepburn, or any of the dozens of stellar actresses from back in the day. Such arrogance these days.
Yes, the nerve of this African actress for wanting to pay homage and give respect to her culture! Just ungrateful. How dare she not give credit to Audrey, a white woman who is constantly and universally praised!
Complete failure of thought. Congratulations!
–TheRealPinky
Kind of like the arrogance needed to make such a statement about an African actress and her polite, classy explanation?
Girl, the word uppity was just on the tip of your tongue, save yourself the keystrokes and say what you really feel.
I hope you realize how problematic your statement is. Lupita has a right to correct Vogue when they refused to acknowledge what she said was her inspiration in the first place. Why should she feel honored to be ignored? Her African heritage is important to her so why not accept her correction and learn a little too.
If Audrey Hepburn were still alive, she would have corrected Vogue as well. The spirit of your comment is something she would not have wanted to be associated with.
Whoa chillllllllllll! Lupita was not dissing Audrey or anyone else, all she did was point out where her actual hair inspiration came from! And I’m not even sure why they cited Audrey; she had beehive-type styles sometimes, but never anything like Lupita’s do (which looks great btw, as does the dress.)
Lupita is amazing in any and all senses of the word. I hope she and Idris Alba take over Hollywood and bring it up to date.
Cheers to that!
Politely corrected. Lupita’s a class act.
“I look at this play and see nothing about it that is “small”.”
I LOVED HER LENNY INTERVIEW (had to google a few words while reading it). This beautiful, amazing young woman is so well-centered (and woke!). I loved everything she had to say and Im looking forward to her future projects and hope her light continues to shine and may she continue to choose projects out of an understanding of the character and never out of expectations. Love that she mentioned Viola Davis as one of her inspirations when it comes to acting.
As for her instagram Vogue check, Im glad she did that. It was so beautiful to see throwback pics of African women and Nina Simone (is it just me or is everyone quoting Nina these days? Even Madonna quoted her. I didnt even think Madonna knew of anyone else’s existence except hers lol). I think she looked beautiful with that hairstyle. I loved it instantly. Didnt care much for her dress.