Australian comedian and actor Rebel Wilson has come under fire for a ‘confronting’ outfit choice at yesterday’s MTV Video Music Awards. But unlike the ceremony’s host, Miley Cyrus, the controversy isn’t over how much Rebel has bared, but rather the message behind it.
The thirty-five-year-old has been called out by black activists for joking about police injustice during a skit before announcing the nominees for Best Hip-Hop Video at the awards ceremony.
Source: Zimbio
Dressed as a US police officer, Rebel announced ‘A lot of people have problems with the police. But I really hate police strippers.’ After stripped her costume to reveal a black t-shirt declaring ‘F**k Tha Stripper Police’.
‘You guys know what I’m talking about. They come to your house, you think you’re getting arrested, and you just get a lap dance that is usually uninspired,’
‘I hired a police stripper for my grandmother’s 80th, and he wouldn’t even feel her up. Well I paid an extra $100 for her to get an erotic back massage, but it only lasted one song. I hate this injustice. Hence the shirt.’
Though received with cheers from the audience, the skit hasn’t gone down well amongst Black Lives Matter activists, who’ve slammed Rebel Wilson for making fun of the ongoing issue of police brutality against black people in the United States.
People around the world have taken to Twitter to voice their disapproval of Rebel’s skit, slamming the actor for being ‘racist’ and ‘insensitive’.
Rebel Wilson, please do not turn police brutality into a comedy bit – @CraigSJ
I’ve kind of always thought Rebel Wilson “doesn’t really get it,” and I’m finally vindicated – @DPD_
Rebel Wilson making light of police brutality before announcing the nominees for best Hip Hop video is so white it hurts #VMAs – Glen Coco @MrPooni
The award for the category was handed to Nicki Minaj for her video for Anaconda, who had no trepidation about sparking further controversy. After accepting the award, the artist boldly stated ‘Back to this b*tch that had a lot to say about me the other day in the press. Miley, what’s good?’
Miley coolly responded, ‘We’re all in this industry, we’ve both done interviews, we know how they manipulate sh*t.’
Rebel has made no comments about the controversy.
