Lil Nas X and FKA Twigs have both come out and praised one another after the rapper's new video for “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” drew eerie comparisons to visuals for “Cellophane.”
According to CNN, it was a social media user who first noted the similarities between the two videos and tagged the artists on Twitter, as well as Andrew Thomas Huang, who directed the "Cellophane" video.
"I think @LilNasX took one too many notes from @Andrew_T_Huang and @FKAtwigs in their new MV. Here is a side by side clip of Cellophane and Montero. You be the judge," the fan tweeted, posting the videos of each artist sliding down a stripper pole through a cloudy portal.
I think @LilNasX took one too many notes from @Andrew_T_Huang and @FKAtwigs in their new MV. Here is a side by side clip of Cellophane and Montero. You be the judge.#LILNASX
#fkatwigs
pic.twitter.com/lroBsJxub8— Arthur Tam (@ArthurityTam) March 27, 2021
Huang expressed his disappointment in Lil Nas X after seeing the similarities.
"When an artist is in a position of power (amplified with the help of major record labels, social media, PR, etc) and repurposes someone’s labor and ideas to serve their brand image, they cause harm by displacing the efforts of the artists who did the original leg work," the "Cellophane" director tweeted.
When an artist is in a position of power (amplified with the help of major record labels, social media, PR, etc) and repurposes someone’s labor and ideas to serve their brand image, they cause harm by displacing the efforts of the artists who did the original leg work.
— Andrew Thomas Huang (@Andrew_T_Huang) March 28, 2021
Days later however, Lil Nas and FKA Twigs went to social media to sing each other's praises.
“Thank you @lilnasx for our gentle honest conversations,” FKA Twigs wrote on Instagram, captioning a photo of Lil Nas clutching a red rose. “And for acknowledging the inspiration 'Cellophane' gave you and your creative team in creating your iconic video! I think what you have done is amazing and I fully support your expression and bravery in pushing culture forward for the queer community. legend status.”
While showing love for Lil Nas X, Twigs encouraged people to donate to Swarm, an organization which supports sex workers and fights against the criminalization of their work.
"I want to thank @andrewthomashuang and @kelyvon for helping me create cellophane, but also and most importantly I would like to thank sex workers and strippers for providing the physical language to make both videos possible," she wrote. "I have been working with @swarmhive to help support this community and I know all donations to the swarm hardship fund will be welcome during this difficult time."
Lil Nas X also expressed his admiration for Huang and FKA Twigs.
"I want to show love to @fkatwigs & @andrewthomashuang ! The 'Cellophane' visual is a masterpiece. I want to say thank u to twigs for calling me and informing me about the similarities between the two videos, as I was not aware they were so close," the artist wrote. "Was only excited for the video to come out. I understand how hard you worked to bring this visual to life. You deserve so much more love and praise."
According to the publication Them, Huang said he was initially contacted by Lil Nas X’ label about working on the video for "Montero." But the rapper allegedly “pivoted away” from Huang and instead hired “Cellophane” choreographer Kelly Yvonne.
