Influencers Face Backlash For Promoting Saudi Arabia.
Music by: RW Smith – Witchy Britches. Image credit: Flickr.
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Over the past few days, influencers and celebrities have come under fire for taking “six-figures” to attend Saudi Arabia’s MDL Beast music festival.
These individuals were promoting tourism and a “cultural revolution” in Saudi Arabia, without a single mention of the kingdom’s human rights record.
Trans model Teddy Quinlivan took to Instagram to call out attendees for “promoting government propaganda” by accepting a paid promotional partnership with the festival.
In an Instagram story thread, Teddy stated:
“If you’re an influencer and you’re promoting tourism to a place [that] openly kills journalists and LGBTQ people, as well as a list of other horrible and archaic laws and policies … you’re a f**cking sell-out”
Emily Ratajkowski was quick to respond to Teddy, revealing that she turned down the trip.
Some of the influencers that didn’t turn down the trip include Sofia Richie, Alessandra Ambrosio, Jazzelle Zanaughtti, Pietro Boselli and more…
Diet Prada, was one of the first to join the conversation – raising awareness, as well as praising Teddy and Emily for speaking out about the issue.
What are your thoughts on the issue?
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