Uh-oh. Heidi Klum has gotten herself into a whole mess of controversy with a new shoot theme for Germany’s Next Top Model. Sometimes I do forget that she’s not only a supermodel but also a successful television personality. What with her falling in and out of bed with “the help.”
This story isn’t about Heidi’s personal life but about a set of photos that Heidi has proudly uploaded to her Facebook page. The set features Heidi’s contestants in Native American-inspired garb and settings. Some of the models are wearing face paint. Others wear war bonnets and pose next to teepees. The comments on Heidi’s Facebook aren’t receptive to the “redface” theme at all. Here are some reactions in bulletpoint form:
* “Not only do I find these photos sickening and infuriating, but I feel the ignorance of the followers of Heidi Klum are taking our progress away from discrimination and stereotypes many steps backwards.”
* “Disappointing. Cultural appropriation and redface are never okay.”
* “My culture is not your f—ing fashion trend!!”
* “As a Native American woman, I am disgusted. It’s not an ‘honor,’ it’s a disgrace.”
* “War bonnets are not for women, and certainly not a white, German woman.”
* “Excuse me Ms Klum but where did u get the idea that this was exceptable! What you are doing is a mockery of the Native American culture and it’s beyond insulting. I urge you to educate yourself to know what you are wearing is not a costume but a head dress that symbolizes sacredness, I’m sorry but you have NOT earned the right to wear those feathers.”
[From Heidi Klum on Facebook]
Yeah, this shoot was a bad idea. Heidi can’t really claim that she wasn’t aware of the potential issues with “redface” since she lives in the United States. I live in the Eastern part of Oklahoma. People here are very aware of the misappropriation of Native American culture. I suspect most US residents are aware of the controversy. Heidi’s team could have come up with a shoot theme that didn’t involve stomping all over a culture.
Here are some of the photos from the GNTM shoot. Are people being too sensitive, or are these photos offensive?
Photos courtesy of Heidi Klum on Facebook & WENN
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