Kat Von D’s makeup line is beloved by makeup aficionados, Instagram makeup artists and YouTube reviewers. I love her tattoo liner and mine is still working after months, even after all the writing wore off the tube. (I don’t wear that particular liner daily and alternate with others.) I also use her shade and light palette for contouring and should look into her liquid lipstick as I’ve only heard good things. Kat relies on positive word of mouth for her products and she’s active on social media, particularly Instagram, where she showcases dramatic makeup looks and hold promotions and contests.
Kat had a recent contest calling for people to create looks based around the “saints and sinners” theme, which is the name of her new makeup collection. The winner would receive a $500 Sephora gift card and an invitation to the launch party. Kat selected a makeup artist named Gypsy Freeman based on Gypsy’s submission, an innocent white-based makeup look featuring a model in a milk bath and a goth look with the same model in all black and heavily black-rimmed eyes. Only when commenters pointed out that Gypsy was a Trump supporter Kat wasn’t having it. She told Gypsy in an email point blank that she wasn’t going to invite her to the launch party because of Gypsy’s open support for Trump. Also, Gypsy did violate some of the rules. The model was her sister instead of herself, as was required. So Kat invited the photographer to the party instead and then deleted the contest from Instagram and her website. Thanks to The Cut for reporting this:
The night she was declared winner, Freeman say she received a private message on Instagram from Kat Von D’s personal account, reports the Kansas City Star. “Hey there, I just wanted you to know that I chose your entry because of the talent that came with the images you created,” Kat Von D writes, according to screenshots Freeman provided. “Lots of people have been leaving negative comments … But the ones that concerned me were the Trump related ones.”
Von D continued, writing: “I just want you to know that I personally have a hard time with inviting anyone who would support such an anti-feminist, anti-homosexual/LGBT, anti-immigrant, and anti-climate change fascist such as Trump … I would feel the same way towards people who supported Hitler, or any other fascist. In a world where most people are afraid to stand up for what’s right, I refuse to.”
In the Instagram exchange, Freeman defended herself, stating: “I have very close friends and family that are lesbians and homosexuals. My sister (the model)’s boyfriend is an immigrant and I am a support of my sex.”
The two messaged back and forth a few additional times, with Von D remaining stoic in her decision to disinvite Freeman to the launch party. “It’s definitely bigotry — it’s everything that they’re calling us, they’re doing,” Freeman told the Kansas City Star. “It’s a huge case of hypocrisy.”
In terms of Gypsy’s defense, this is what you hear so often from Trump people, they cry bigotry when people rightfully call them out for having a bigoted and exclusionary belief system. It’s ridiculous and it’s bullsh-t, but so is everything that’s happening lately. Also the old “I have —- friends” excuse, which is even worse from Trump supporters because it means they don’t care whether their “friends” have basic rights, or are harassed and discriminated against. Kat was right for doing this, and I like how plainly she described her reasoning, which boils down to “you support a fascist.” In a world where right is left and up is down, Kat brought this back to reality, which is that nothing that is happening is OK and that people who support this are complicit. I’ll definitely support her products, although I don’t need an excuse to buy her excellent makeup.
Here’s Gypsy’s submission, but really the photographer is responsible for the concept so it was right that she got the invite:
This is Gypsy Freeman.
Photos credit: WENN and Instagram/Kat Von D, Jenn Bischof
Good for her!!! At least someone stands up to this craziness.
Yay for Kat!!! 💯 support her decision.
I’ve never bought her make-up but received a sample of Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in the color Lovesick and I LOVE IT!!! Great color and great formula.
I’ll definitely be supporting her line from now on.
And I’m soooo sick of the “hypocrisy ” argument. These people have no f*cking clue.
I recently got a sample too and I LOVE it! It’s a weird color that I would never have bought myself (K-Dub), but I put it on and thought “eh, that’s actually not bad!” Then I proceeded to get 5,000 compliments on it that day. It feels really nice too. I think I’m going to pick some up.
It’s only hypocrisy when it affects them smh
I support.
It’s not like need much encouragement to buy more lipstick, but I will go purchase a liquid lipstick from her this weekend.
Me too ! So much respect for her for doing this.
Buy it because it’s awesome. I own practically her entire makeup line.
it’s seriously the first eyeliner that stayed put on my face, it’s amazing
@paranormalgirl, what would you recommend of hers for someone who’s a makeup minimalist? Want to support her brand after this!
Go Kat!
Her tattoo eyeliner, shade and light eyeshadow palette and nude liquid lipsticks (Lolita is a fave) are all great basics. She has an amazing single eyeshadow called Thunderstruck that works as an inner corner shade with any look, and doubles as a highlighter, lip topper etc.
If you don’t wear much makeup her foundation would be way too heavy, but her concealers are awesome.
I actually lighten up her foundation with some daily moisturizer. You end up with a tinted moisturizer with serious staying power. Tattoo eyeliner I cannot say enough about. I love Lolita II and Lovecraft, I tend to use the tube lipstick more than the liquid. If you can get a hold of a blush, you use the tiniest bit and it lasts all day (I like the Essex color).
I’m conflicted about this one. Hate trump and his supporters but also not thinking marginalizing them helps in the long run?
Also: of course a trump supporter would cheat.
Same feelings.
I’m with you, conflicted as well. I’m betting the contest rules didn’t specifically exclude political or religious zealots from entering in the first place, if they didn’t align with KVD’s point of view.
But that’s exactly what Trump supporters wants to do to other people, Marginalize them, discriminate anyone who is not white, christian and conservative. I am glad that people are giving them a taste of their medicine.
Yes. Outsting someone who doesn’t agree with your views is not exactly democratic. In fact it’s quite right-wing, isnt it? Regardless of who occupies the moral high ground.
Although I don’t blame her. It can be argued that it’s her company and she can call the shots.
Ultimately, though, I think it was wrong to disqualify someone whom she chose as the winner for that person’s political leaning.
She cheated by using her sister as a model:
“The model was her sister instead of herself, as was required”
Private companies do not have a legal responsibility to give “democratic process” (I use that term VERY loosely) to people they don’t want representing their brand. Freedom of speech is a right that protects your views against GOVERNMENT interference. It does not mean you are protected from other people or companies that disagree with your views.
I’m going to be really frank here – I wouldn’t let her on the show, either, once I found out about her views. Because the fact that she uses “gypsy” as a name (ethnic slur) and submitted a picture where “milk white” represented good and black represented darkness or evil makes me real f*cking uncomfortable knowing that person supports a bigot. I wouldn’t want that associated with my brand’s image, either.
It’s reverse bullying.
It’s really not. Bullying is physical or psychologically abuse used to control or intimidate. What happened here is that a businesswoman rejected a candidate whose beliefs were not in line with her brand. She did not do it for reasons the girl cannot control – gender, sexual orientation, race, etc. – but due to a disagreement in chosen beliefs. The woman was not stripped of her ability to go elsewhere or apply to other competitions. She just can’t represent this brand for this businesswoman. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom from repercussions for what you say and do.
No. Please don’t start broadstroking all Trump supporters are morally corrupt as Trump himself. Lots are misinformed. Lots don’t have multiple routes of news. Lots only have a single stream. So, no. Not all would. This blind hate need a to stop on all sides or 1 is no more or less better than the other.
Come on, Trump supporters voted for him because they wanted everyone out there who is not white and christian to suffer period. With everything that’s been going on since January if you’re still supporting Trump at this point, you’re nothing but a bigot.
“Lots don’t have multiple routes of news.”
Oh they do, they just choose not to use them.
Do I hate all Trump supporters? No. A lot of them are really really clueless, but also choose to remain so. And they don’t want to understand why voting for Trump causes non-Trumpsters to look down on them.
And no, it’s not equal on both sides.
I have to say a few things to actually bother me about liberal values and here there are. Fifteen years ago, I could work a second labor job to tide over my bills- housecleaning, construction, restaurant. Now these jobs are taken by illegals at half the pay rate PLUS i never get hired. I’m a real middle class worker The health care premiums were KILLING me financially- but I don’t drink, smoke or even eat GMOs. I exercise and never take pain killers for pain that WILL GO AWAY ON IT’S OWN. So as a middle class worker, I take the brunt of too much hand outs. I think the nationalized health care has just put millions of soda drinkers on opiate addition anyway- so why should I pay for this mess? I LOATHE trump and his crony crew of oil greedy suckers. But I do want some change. I would never support trump, but I’m not “all in” for the old system either! Would kat von d kick me out of a contest? I’m not ignorant, but I’m seeing how things needed to change – perhaps- like some of the trump supporters?
Cr…
Ice been to areas on the state’s where np. They don’t. I live in an area that is loaded with Trump supporters. Many don’t have smart phones. They dont have the internet. If they could get it could they even afford it? Not many. And the news that is delivered is twisted. For example a newspaper print headline was trumps son seemed help from Russia. Not colluded. It gets twisted easily. The others that know better might stay to the right not because it’s agreeable, but because it’s not the liberal left. And sure. Lots are driven by hate and fear. My issue was just to not paint all with the same brush. Which the commenter did.
ontheFence:
I am not seeing liberal ideas anywhere in your post. The issue of illegal immigration in the situation you described is the fault of the owner of the business. It is easy to scapegoat illegal immigrants but they don’t create the jobs. The people benefitting are the people who pocket the difference and turn their backs on qualified citizens for greed. That is not part of the liberal agenda. That is the right deflecting because they have no intention of fixing the problem. What they want to do is pay you less which is why they won’t support a raise in minimum wage.
We are all paying for medical care that has nothing to do with us personally. I have never broken my leg nor do I have a disabled child, asthma, high cholesterol, addictions, fertility problems, eyesight issues, weight problems, allergies…I mean we could go on all day with that train of thinking. I am not a reckless driver but accidents happen and sometimes the people involved need medical care. If healthcare were universal it would not be an issue.
Liberal doesn’t mean irresponsible or reckless. It means improving and working toward an equal and civilized society among other things. If you study the history of the American middle class you will find as conservative ideas were implemented the middle class began to shrink. Lower taxes sound good but the only people who truly benefit are wealthy people.
Yes, things need to change and I do understand the appeal of what Trump lied about on the campaign trail. The problem is the man who delivered this message is deeply flawed and never had any intention of keeping a single promise. Things have changed but not for the better.
Onthefence – “Liberals” are not the reason why that situation is occurring. Both sides know immigration is an issue and won’t work together to fix it. We literally have an entire agricultural industry built on the cheap, accessible labor of migrants. To disincentivize that, you’d have to pass penalty laws against business. Legalizing illegals would actually fix more issues than not because they’d now be protected citizens and couldn’t be underpaid. But Trump supporters aren’t going to support that, now are they?
I’ve been thinking since posting my original comment about why this bothers me (and the more I think about it, the more I think Kat D is in the wrong): This is going down to “their” level. As astrid said, this contest wasn’t about politics. Eliminating someone for their political beliefs – even for something as heinous as supporting Trump – does not make them unqualified as a make-up artist. (Now, if there were actions to go along with the opinions, that might be different).
Saying “only people who agree with me can come to my party” doesn’t increase dialogue – it just solidifies everyone in their own tiny world with the same opinions. Plus, given the right-wing’s persecution complex, stories like this only enflame the fire and give them something on which to hang their hats.
Ignoring the fact the contestant cheated (and really, someone should have done research into her background before Kat D replied, as they could have disqualified her on that basis and attracted zero attention): Kat could have posted something about how she embraces all people – even those who disagree with her – and yada, yada, yada, tolerance means accepting everyone. She would have come out as the big person.
I’m with you. The high road has a much better view.
@ La Elle:
Going high gets you bupkis on the current internal war (yes, it is a war by proxy) that your country is currently fighting. Most bullies are impervious to reasoning, you need to fight fire with fire. It’s got to that stage. Let them experience what they are inflicting on others for a little while. Maybe it’ll help them eventually empathize with the experience of feeling excluded for whatever reason.
While I don’t disagree, I don’t think a make-up contest is where to draw the line. It’s the politicians and other leaders who need to get dirty and fight.
I believe this isn’t about “getting them on your side”, or “not stooping to their level”, it’s about raising your voice about an ideology that is damaging to a lot of people.
A Trump supporter is not just somebody who likes a certain “politician”, it’s somebody who supports a man who thinks racism, discrimination, and sexual assault should be allowed.
well, if you support a fascist bigot, then prepare to suffer the social ramifications. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
But… didn’t she get engaged to Jesse Nazi James?
So its ok to f*ck with a fascist supporter, but not allow one to your party?
Either way, call out those trumpster fires. Bigotry is not a valid position that requires debate.
My mind went straight to this too. It makes me wonder if maybe he isn’t actually a Nazi supporter, but honestly just a collector of some screwed up stuff. A pig and a douchebag, but possibly not a Nazi.
it makes me wonder if she had a come to jesus moment post breakup.
That too!
She had a come to jesus moment during her relationship, which is part of the reason she ended it. Aside from the womanizing, he was not what he led her to believe he was.
I thought of this too.
Even as just a collector…no. No, no, no. No thank you.
Sadly some punk rock was mixed up w nazi paraphanalia, but a grown adult knows better than to give an heil furor salute while wearing a vintage nazi hat. Jessee james is just an ignorant tool. Yuck.
Yeah…… that had occurred to me too.
my exact thought. but i think kat is generally a sh!t person, so of course i’d think of that first.
She’s made shit decisions in her past and cheated on her ex (I know her ex husband), but we’re allowed to grow and evolve as we age. I’m a different person than I was when I was 20, 30, and even 40.
@paranormal girl, I believe you have a background in psychology, so I respect your thoughts, but I have to disagree. We may be different people as we age, but I don’t think most people’s core values change dramatically over the years. Many of us would’ve never dated Nazi-lover Jesse James at any age, whether we were 16 or 66. To me, dating a Nazi lover is a moral issue, and even young people have a sense of morality. Hers is clearly compromised. And now she’s behaving like a self-righteous member of the Resistance. I am completely opposed to Trump, but some people are acting like he invented every ism in the book while ignoring their own troublesome opinions and behavior regarding marginalized people and minority groups. I don’t think Kat is morally superior to this Trump voter she disinvited to her event, and I think it’s unethical of her to rescind her invitation.
Yes, she’s been called out in the past for using Nazi iconography and the like. I like her makeup and like her from the little that I see and know of her, but the thought that this decision was also to distance herself from her own past flashed through my mind.
i’d actually like to believe she’s changed and grown.
is this naive?
Last time this woman was on these boards, she was bragging about destroying Sandra Bullock’s marriage. She was quite proud of the fact. She reminds me of the Playboy Bunny who tried to shame the senior lady in the gym.
Lady D, are you sure you’re talking about Kat von D and not that Michelle-something?
I’m pretty sure Kat von D didn’t have an affair with him while he was married.
People can actually grow up, we can’t crucify her for a mistake of the past, I think she’s right in this instance. Also Trumps supporters hate mexican, and she’s half mexican…she’s got a point!
A mistake is dating a well known womanizer and thinking you can change them. Willingly accepting a marriage proposal from a man who has an extreme “interest” in the Nazis, is NOT a mistake.
“she’s half mexican” …and if she wasn’t, would she still be speaking up for them? I wonder, has she spoke up for any other groups?
Nicole, I totally agree. Also, Kat Von D is 35. Sandra Bullock and Jesse James divorced in 2010, so Kat was hardly a child when she partnered up with him. I find it really troubling that society continues to infantilize adults, especially considering how much responsibility even our grandparents had at very young ages.
Her parents are argentinian, not mexican. She was born in Mexico, though, and has dual citizenship (us-mex)
It’s VERY clear to me that she has an issue with men, nazi memorabilia aside. So what? Lots of people date other people they regret ending up with, the age doesn’t even matter!
Look, she’s not my fav person either, but the fact that she managed to stay sober, turned her life around, became vegan and an ACTIVE activist for the cause, supports independent designers, includes many regular people in her business (mostly picked up from the internet), and now this…I think she deserves Kudos, rather than accusing her for things of the past. Otherwise it’s really just a matter of “haters gonna hate” no matter what, which is infantile!
My mind went straight there too. I don’t like her either so I mostly shrugged at this story
Slow hand clap. Wish I could punch every Trump supporter I meet and graffiti the yard of my neighbor who put a trump sign on his lawn. You support hate, bigotry, sexism, racism and ignorance. Good for her.
For your neighbor- I like to send donations to planned parenthood or some other organization, even small donations, and then send him a postcard in the mail explaining that his microaggressive sign prompted the donation.
oh I like this.
LOL, that’s an awesome idea.
There are places and meds to get help for that anger issue.
Can you show those to the current president? I think he’s in need.
She cheated and she was rightfully disqualified. Good on Kat for disinviting this woman to her launch party.
Bigotry…. That word doesn’t mean what you think it means, Gypsy. You CHOSE to support Drumpfster fire. You can control that. No one chooses to be part of a marginalized group. You either are or you aren’t. Good on Kat for this. And her liquid lipsticks are good stuff!
There’s more responses from the contest winner missing:
“We would love to be there, of course, but I sincerely do understand if you decide to replace us with someone who supports the candidate you support,” Freeman wrote, referring to the Los Angeles perfume launch party.
“Won’t beg to come somewhere I am clearly not wanted. The last thing I would ever want to do is upset people or make you uncomfortable at your own event,” Freeman wrote, according to the images.
So she agreed not to come, but then ran to the media crying bigotry.
Good on Kat! This is what it means to form words into actions.
Completely support kicking her to the curb over rules violation.
Not so much over her personal politics …that’s just wrong. Now if she was using the contest to promote her politics, then sure. But if it’s just a matter of how she votes, expresses her opinions OUTSIDE the contest, etc……..nah, it’s still wrong.
Wrong according to who?
Her brand, her contest, her rules. She can pretty much do whatever she wants. I’m sure in the contest fine print, something to that effect was stated.
This isn’t a government grant. It’s an Instagram contest run by a private company.
Wrong according to me, I’m no Hypocrite. If I’m for freedom of thought and equal rights…..I am for it for everyone, including those I disagree with. If it’s distracting to the contest, that’s one thing. If she broke legitimate rules of the contest, that’s one thing.
But kick out someone for the political beliefs expressed outside the contest? Nope. If she’d done it on religion, everyone would howl (including me) asking WTF does religion have to do with it? Of course religious freedom is protected under law. Political freedoms is assumed but if we keep this petty and petulant behavior up, it is going to be legislated as a protected class too, and how silly and stupid is that ?
Americans have lost their minds, first by electing this bofoon ans now everyone is entitled to act just like him, including his detractors. Damn fools we are.
further messages between them show this:
“I am not deselecting you – like I said I personally chose your entry because of your talent – and I would never take that away. I just wanted to be honest with you about where I stand.”
Pumpkin, I think I get what you mean, but humor me on this, how far does it extend?
I’m going to take this to the extremes as a thought experiment, because I struggle with the issue of tolerance and at what point you cut people off too.
If someone is a known wife beater, do you let them into a women’s group? a mixed group?
If someone shows in full KKK regalia, do you let them in?
If someone states they are a hitler supporter and in favor of eugenics for all people who do not support an aryan ideal, do you let them in?
If someone believes in conversion therapy, is that ok? Abortion rights?
At what point do political beliefs become dangerous enough that private companies can decide to refuse entry?
Right now, I believe these people should always have the basics to survive – clean food and water, shelter and health care. Even horrible people. Something many of those mentioned above would deny me and mine.
Pretty sure Kat already “let in” a known racist and Nazi supporter
Truth, but I’d like to believe in change?
I was a pretty ignorant person ten years ago, I’m hoping Kat has changed similarly.
It is an extreme and it’s a straw man argument and a false equivalence.
We are talking politics here and this is hypocritical behavior and completely the antithesis of what she pretends to distain. She’s doing it herself.
You do not have to be friends with those you disagree with, And you do not have to associate with them on your personal time.
This is a public activity tied to business and it’s unrelated to politics. As long as someone plays by the established rules and doesn’t engage in behavior that detracts from the activity itself, their personal politics shouldn’t matter in the USA of all places.
We have lost all civility and all sense of appropriate behavior. Trump is an ass, I didn’t vote for him, but I’m not going to act like him and I’m not going to abandon my sense of what is right and fair and appropriate and relevant toward those I disagree with when I interact with them.
The contestants politics were irrelevant in this activity.
It isn’t a straw man argument, because i’m not refuting a point you didn’t make, i might be participating in reductio ad absurdum, but i wasn’t intending to debate, but to ask a question. Specifically, where in the morass of grey do you draw the line, or if there is no line.
I think Kat was civil in her response to this woman, actually, but where we really differ in opinion is our views on the validity of certain forms of speech. Much of what Trump implies, and his supporters say, either is or verges on hate speech. His comments on the latinx communities is a perfect example of his hate speech.
I don’t know if the rules apply to the people who endorse this? Or how far I’m willing to carry personal freedoms and the ability to maintain a public life unmolested. I think if it was a solitary person, not a political movement, I would be much more sympathetic.
I’ll check out Kat’s site and buy something. I bought from Nordstrom immediately after they dumped Plastic Barbie’s crap and told them why I was buying. Does anyone know the shade lipstick Kat is wearing in the IG shot? I love it!
Lolita, maybe. Not the second one though. Possibly Lovecraft.
I was thinking Lovecraft or Lolita 2.
Thanks! I just ordered Lovecraft.
Again with a racial slur as an Instagram nickname. Why is this so okay in America?
most americans dont realize it’s a slur and think it means hippy. ignorance isn’t an excuse tho
My mom wanted to name her car “Gypsy Soul” despite my sister and I telling her how WRONG that is, she doesnt listen and continues to use that language. Any time anything in the media pops up with the term “gypsy” she always try to shove in out faces as some sort of justification for using it. To her it embodies a free spirit. Maybe if someone indigenous to that culture spoke to her directly about how its hurtful, would change her mind. I dont know.
I think it’s her name? I think her parents named her Gypsy. Not that it’s an excuse, but this is also one of the least-known slurs. I only recently learned that “gypsy” was a bad word, and I try to be conscientious about stuff like that. Also, does anyone get mad at Jason Momoa for using “PrideofGypsies” as his handle? Seriously asking, I’ve wondered ever since I became aware of gypsy being a slur.
To play devil’s advocate, if this woman was a Clinton supporter and had cheated, would she have been disinvited? If you’re going to use political party preference as a qualification for winning, that should have been stated in the contest rules. This action also leaves Kat open to legal action.
I don’t support Trump and I have little patience with those who did, but demonizing people for stupid decisions isn’t going to help anyone in the long run. IMHO.
the point everyone is making is this is not equivalent, that Trump is not a normal politician, that he is a fascist.
If it was Bush, who many disliked, fine, but this is an unhinged lunatic who only believes people are people when they have the same private parts and coloring he does. Who is moving to take away the rights of a significant chunk of people, while lying, refusing to take responsibility, and generally behaving in a way that would have you removed from a kindergarten class.
If you want to win awards and accolades from the makeup industry, which is populated by a large portion of women and queer folk, then you should probably not make it clear that you think they are lesser. Or they have the right to ask you to leave.
This is honestly the most upstanding thing Kat has ever done.
Thank you @detritus ! Thank you!
Seriously, everyone needs to stop with these false equivalencies. Stopping 45 is equivalent to stopping Hitler. Those aware of what he was up to who still either voted for him–which we know is clearly based on racial affiliation and white supremacy–or are wanting to somehow protect him, they are fascists in league with him. There’s no equating it. All of this justification is just more of the “we can beat you down but if you don’t take it/turn the other cheek/accept submission”, then you’re wrong/mean/not being fair. 45 was so far outside of the limits of decency and rightness long before the people of this country (other than BW and majority BM) elected him president. I refuse to continue entertaining this “why don’t you play nice with the Nazi” b.s. Seriously.
I don’t agree with that. She awarded her the prize. You can’t take it back because you don’t agree with her political beliefs. If Kat knew about the cheating and awarded her the prize anyway, it’s rightfully hers. I feel that the using of the sister as a model as cheating is an excuse.
Totally agree with you snowflake!
And it’s good that Kat’s email was civil, but underneath that I think her response was very juvenile. Someone else in the comments mentioned that this was a lost opportunity, and I agree with that too. Let’s assume that this lady IS super racist/bigoted/sexist/insert-your-own-ad-nauseam-term-here. If she met up with Kat and her mix of friends, and they were all super kind and respectful to her, isn’t there a higher possibility that this lady might recognize that some of those beliefs are wrong? Sadly, because she was rejected for supporting Trump (and yes the cheating, but Kat didn’t say it was JUST because of the cheating), she’ll probably become a more ardent fan of his and could become more stubborn in her ideology. This woman probably admires Kat and would listen to her if Kat took the time to have a civil discussion about politics (although let’s be real, politics should never have been discussed in a makeup contest in the first place).
I understand people’s fears of something truly awful happening if we don’t immediately shut down or punish people with seemingly bad ideas. But we’re only making their cause stronger when we do that. It makes me sad reading that so many on the comment thread think Kat’s decision was the moral or correct thing to do. What will happen when the shoe is on the other foot and the majority of the population are right-thinking people who will block friends simply because they’re perceived to be on the left? Will you be ok with that action then? No one should ever be discriminated against because of their political beliefs. If you disagree with someone, do the hard work, learn their side of the topic, and discuss the issues. Have a strong argument showing them why you think they’re wrong. And if they don’t want to do the same, fine. But at least you did the honorable thing. I’m sorry guys, I’m just so tired of the childishness on BOTH sides. I’ll leave with Abraham Lincoln’s quote: Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?
I agree with this way of dealing with them. I’m tired of exhortations to go high and try to persuade these people to be rational when their way of engaging in conversation is to yell and bloviate until they’ve exhausted you. We just need to start cutting off the conversation with these people and making them uncomfortable. Social pressure is a powerful tool.
Agree. They don’t respond at all to us taking the high road and it has gotten us nowhere. I am done with going high when they go low. Fight fire with fire
I disagree with this. There’s no way anything positive or productive will occur if both sides are acting hateful. It sucks, but someone has to have the courage to always be the mature person in this type of situation. If you have time, I’d recommend reading MLK’s collection of sermons called, “Strength to Love.” He has some powerful arguments outlining why, even when facing the most adversity and discrimination, we should always stay high. Sure, some public shaming may work in the short term, but it’s not curing the overall problem of hate that exists. The only way to break that cycle is to love your enemy. Hippy-dippy, I know, but again read the book. It’s very impactful.
the problem i have with this is:
At a certain point it is not on me or anyone else to go through the pain of describing equality to people when the resources exist. it is not my responsibility to make them comfortable enough to change.
Kat was connected to Jesse James, Jeff Starr and had a scandal about the racial integration of her campaigns. Everyone has a right to vote deal with the results. Get involved more otherwise don’t complain.
Agree, some of what I see on here is exactly what they say they are against.
But she is getting involved by not giving the winner a platform……
Some of you on here need serious help, some are wanting to punch and harm people for the way they choose to vote. Last I checked this is America where we are still free to choose the way we want to vote.
I don’t want to harm anyone for how they voted. I just don’t care about them because it is painfully clear they don’t care about anybody else.
If my family was in the states, the people who voted for Trump would have killed my father. Not by action, but by selfishness.
I would never forgive those voters, and I do not blame those who are angry, some whose very lives are at risk. Violence is not the answer, but when you see your families lives being taken from you, the reactions will not be kind.
Voting is a right, but the consequences of who you vote for – you have to live with that. This includes a vast swath of people who now question your moral compass and critical thinking skills.
Kinda reminds me of a high school contest, vote for me and get a cupcake.
One poster said punch. ONE and only one and she received negative responses to that. Did you catch that? ONE, not some. ONE.
Yeah one and that was from me, again how unhinged are people gonna get?
In the new America, some are more “free” than others, to vote, to serve in the military, to have access to healthcare.
And next up, the Voter Fraud Commission, guaranteed to suppress the voting rights of millions.
So nope, no longer the land of the free and brave.
I hate Trump, but this is wrong.
She cheated anyway so she should have been disqualified regardless of her politics. Team Kat should have led with that. But if Kat doesn’t want her brand associated with the right wing, that’s a business decision she has a right to make. It’s not like she’s saying I refuse to sell you my products (like the homophobic bakery). She’s saying that Gypsy doesn’t represent what her brand is about and therefore cannot be a “face” of it.
Didn’t she date Nazi enthusiast Jesse James tho? Confusing, this one.
Yes she did so I’m surprised so many people here like her. She called her former boss a Jew Bag. She’s actually anti-Semitic.
There needs to be a correction on this article. If you go read the rest of the dms, Kat says she is still inviting her and not dis qualifying her, just that there’s a lot of backlash this girl should know about for those reasons. The mua then turned around and withdrew on her own accord.
Petty for a woman who participated in ending a marriage.
Whose marriage? Other than hers, of course.
If you mean Sandra Bullock and Jesse James, Kat isn’t the woman he cheated with. That was Michelle something or other.
Good. Trump and his loser fans can go straight to hell.
I can’t stand KVD, she is the biggest drama queen, always involved in some drama. She made long a** video about how much she dislikes Jeffree Star and since then I actually became a fan of him (even tho he likes drama too). Anyway, Kat can invite and disinvite whoever she wants. No sympathy for Trump supporters.
Yeah i read/watched both sides of the Jeffree Star and Kat fight and I believe his version as it’s more plausible if you watch both of their videos on it.
With Jeffree Star it’s not just “drama” though. It’s unbelievable how he gets away with so much casual sexism and racism.
Jeffree Star is an extremely problematic person. He’s racist, misogynistic and a bully.
Kat isn’t really any better (the fact that she brushed aside all his terrible behaviour for years until it affected her shows that), and that drama she tried to start was kinda sketchy on her side, but Jeffree’s still a vile human being. I get disliking them both, but if you dislike Kat I don’t get how you could like Jeffree. He has all her issues and then some.
To be honest, I don’t know. I just find his YT channel very entertaining, I have a liquid lipstick of his makeup collection and it is the best! I am aware of his past remarks, he made a racism video recently about it. I think he regrets his past behavior. KVD just rubs me the wrong way. She takes herself way too seriously while JS makes fun of himself constantly.
I have mixed feelings. I understand Kat in that sense that Donald Trump is awful and we should stand up against him…but politics SHOULD stay out of a contest.
She cheated, so she should not get to participate. But had she not, we are just limiting her right to free speech. We’re supposed to go high, remember? You shouldn’t discriminate against someone with different opinions from you. Even when they’re wrong. That’s the entire basis of free speech. So no. I wouldn’t support this if she hadn’t cheated,no matter how much I loathe her opinions.
That is not how free speech works. That has never been how free speech works.
Free speech does not mean freedom from consequence. It’s about government suppression, not a beauty company picking and choosing a winner. Do you not support the free market?
Free speech and hate speech are not the same thing.
Please point me to the hate speech. I don’t believe that I saw it in blog post.
Good for Kat! I support her and respect her more for standing her ground. If stores can use religious beliefs to not provide services to the LGBTQ community, Kat can cite political reasons.
Goof for you, Kat.
I don’t know why people are bringing up Kat from 5, 10 years ago? I was very ignorant about mental health, feminism, cultural appropriation, the word gypsy, drug addiction and even Hillary more than a year ago! But I was open minded enough to educate and inform myself. Would Trump supporters realise that? It’s a different world now. Your democracy and the independence of crucial pillars are being challenged when somebody who has (still present tense) so many conflict of interests was still elected President and then continues on the same path. He has family on the inside and his team explored if he can pardon himself? Do you want to wait till he becomes a dictator and your journalists get killed or sanctioned? How many journalists and experts have already analyzed that the events in the past months are unprecedented? Trump admin supporters need to know if they refuse to be informed, there’s no point in taking the high road (and I don’t mean violence). This girl lost a contest versus minorities, including women, who may lose their rights? Say it again. The problem with Trump is not that he’s a racist and has bigoted opinions. The problem is that his being President LEGITIMIZES racism, sexism, untruths, attack on freedom of press and fascism for the US (who is a world power and nuclear owner whether you like it or not).
But 5 years ago you knew what a swastika was and what it represented, right?
Hi Nicole, is she still into that?
@Alexandria
In her video against JS she stated she ignored his sexism and racism so my guess is no.
I can’t stand Trump. Everyone who knows me knows this. That being said, the winner should have been disqualified based on the fact that she broke the rules of the contest, not because she voted for a man Kat Von Teese cannot stand as well.
What she did was highly immature, smells of a bad publicity stunt, and does not convince that KVT truly champions fairness, equality, and acceptance. I think she’s full of it, frankly.
I say this as someone who hates Cheetolini with every fiber of my being: if Trump supporters weren’t eligible to win, that should’ve been made plain in the contest rules. Changing the game after it’s been played is an asshole move, no matter how righteous it feels. Quite frankly, it’s fraudulent.
This is a good point
I’m surprised KVD has so many supporters on here. She was engaged Jesse James after his Nazi photo came out and she called her former boss a racial slur.
Trump voter here. I think her decision is silly and I wouldn’t have done that to someone with differing political views, but I’m glad she has the right to do it.
Meg, if you have a moment,
1. Are you glad you voted for Trump?
2. Would you do it again?
3. What are you getting out of his presidency, specifically, are you benefiting?
4. Do you believe that Russia interfered in the US election?
I’m not trying to attack you Meg, I’m genuinely trying to understand why somebody would vote for him. If you don’t want to answer, that’s fine. I hope you have a good day.
I’m a trump voter, I grew up in the Bronx on the 80’s. Yeah those Obama years really did a lot for us.
Yes it did; Barack Obama and his first Congress kept us out of a Great Depression without help from any Republicans.
@grandmasutra do you regret voting for Trump or do you still support him?
Where does it say the photographer came up with the concept?
Also I find it odd that they had to use themselves as a model. Takes more talent to work on someone else.
1. Yes. I didn’t want Clinton.
2. Do you mean in 2020? Depends on who he’s running against. 2016? Yes.
3. I identify as libertarian. I don’t want anything….except my freedom and to be left alone. To me the federal government is this giant behemoth that takes your rights away from you and then offers to sell them back. I want the healthcare bill repealed, so not pleased with what he’s done so far.
4. We know that Russia has been hacking. Are you asking whether I think it changed the outcome of the election? Or whether I think the Trump family is secretly working with Russia?
As for Kat Von Dee, I enjoy living in an America where she can decide that she doesn’t want to do business with Trump supporters. It’s her life and her persuit of happiness. There are other countries in this world where she would be jailed and beaten for something like that. She can do her and then the rest of us also have a choice on whether we want to do business with her.
Meg, changing the outcome of the election. Thanks for answering me.
What about state government; they deny people more rights than the federal government everyday. What state do you live in.
I feel like I SHOULD be conflicted, and that perhaps in other circumstances I would be, but screw it. Here’s to not normalising this dumpster fire of a man and administration. I’m about ready to start burning it all down, and I know I’m not the only one. So my vote is Yes. Good.