The Weeknd has ended his partnership with H&M over an advertisement labeled by many as racially insensitive.The retailer sparked backlash after depicting a black child model in a sweatshirt that read “Coolest Monkey in the Jungle,” prompting the hip-hop artist to release a statement of his own condemning H&M’s choice.
“woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo,” The Weeknd tweeted. “i’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hm anymore…”
In a statement obtained by E! News, H&M Media Relations apologized for the advertisement as well as the product: “We understand that many people are upset about the image. We, who work at H&M, can only agree. We are deeply sorry that the picture was taken, and we also regret the actual print. Therefore, we have not only removed the image from our channels, but also the garment from our product offering globally.”
woke up this morning shocked and embarrassed by this photo. i’m deeply offended and will not be working with @hmanymore…
“It is obvious that our routines have not been followed properly,” H&M concluded. “This is without any doubt. We will thoroughly investigate why this happened to prevent this type of mistake from happening again.”As of now, the sweater is still available online but the photo of the model has been removed.
The Weeknd worked with H&M on two different collaborations, and his latest clothing collection was released last September. It’s currently unclear if and when the recording artist’s products will be removed from H&M stores.
Other celebrities that have commented on H&M’s advertisement include Questlove and Sean “Diddy” Combs.”I’m sure the apologies are a coming,” Questlove, who performs with The Roots, wrote on Instagram. “And the ads will be pulled. I’m certain there will Be media fixers and whatnot and maybe a grand gesture like a donation to some charity (donations under these circumstances are the corporate version #SomeOfMyBestFriendsAre move if there ever was one) all this tells me about @HM is that the seats in the boardroom lack something…wanna take a guess?”
Diddy shared a reimagined version of the sweater that read “Coolest King in the World,” adding, “Put some respect on it!! When you look at us make sure you see royalty and super natural God sent glory!! Anything else is disrespectful.”
“Night Mistress”, the latest motion picture by Ray Michaels Quiroga’s Dream Cinema Productions in now available for purchase and streaming via Adler Entertainment on Amazon Prime.
“Night Mistress” is written and directed by Philip Cable with Co-Director Ray Michaels Quiroga, and is based on the best-selling novel of the same name. Get your copy on Amazon today:
Dream Cinema Productions’ “Night Mistress” – They Killed Her Man And She Took Monstrous Revenge….She Wasn’t A Monster…She Was Six Monsters In One!!!!
“Night Mistress” stars Hollywood Icons Brinke Stevens, Tracee Lee Cocco, Sharyn Wynters, Deborah Dutch, Rene Arranda, Ana Paula Lopes, and Ray Michaels Quiroga with guest appearances by Nick Palma and Danielle Kennedy. “Night Mistress” was co-produced by Francisco Roman, Judy Karman and Jimmy Star.
Ray Michaels Quiroga has an impeccable reputation in the world of Hollywood for working with Hollywood legends in his films, and along with the amazing cast of this film he has worked with Academy Award Winner Terry Moore, Calista Carradine, Pamela Hasselhoff, Sissy Wellman, John Saxon and Carla Laemmle.
Purchase/stream Dream Cinema Productions “Night Mistress” on Amazon Prime here: