Rap star Megan Thee Stallion gave Harper's Bazaar an intimate interview for which she discussed the life events that shaped her, the shooting that took a toll on her emotions, her career trajectory and just what it really means to "protect black women."
However, it was the string of photos released on Friday that grabbed the most attention, with some fans celebrating her minimalistic look while others called the images some of the worst professional photography they've ever seen. The tweet replies began almost instantly.
Introducing our March cover star, @theestallion! The rapper is at the top of her artistic game, finishing college, and defending her right to be young, Black, and free: “Can’t nobody tell me how to be the Hot Girl.” https://t.co/m0rEa8FfjW
— Harper's Bazaar (@harpersbazaarus) February 19, 2021
"ps: Black Photographers were available," one commenter wrote.
These pictures are so underwhelming.. the creative direction fucking sucks.. she is much more beautiful that what y’all portrayed.. the photographer has her melanin looking sick.. and obviously don’t even know who she is or what she does.. ps: Black Photographers were available pic.twitter.com/xfSMKUILZb
— Niikai Wells (@kaishotz) February 19, 2021
"I never want to see anything like this again," another tweet read.
I am very disappointed and feel this shoot lacked culture, direction and expression. But I won't complain, instead I'm going to send over some emails to see if I can help in some way because as a black creative, I am appalled and I never want to see anything like this again.
— Listen to my podcast ???? (@Gothic_Sunlight) February 20, 2021
"She looks beautiful!" another person wrote.
Im not understanding why her fans are so pissed off. If Megan had an issue with the pictures she would stand up for herself. She looks beautiful.! I love them.! @theestallion
— ????????M͓̽???????????????????????????????????? (@dontatme95) February 20, 2021
"Literally every photo in this spread is trash," someone commented.
Literally every photo in this spread is trash. Sorry this was NOT artistic do better. Meg you can reject these suggestions you know.
— Jan 8th 2021 The Day Trump Got Banned (@natashasweeting) February 20, 2021
One tweet remarked on the photography of the early 21st century.
y'all took these mfs with a Nokia phone
— ♋ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ ɢɪʀʟ ᴀᴄɪᴅ♋ (@treyonawave) February 19, 2021
While someone complimented the shoot as something positive for young girls.
She looks stunning. It's great to see she is becoming comfortable enough to show other sides of herself to the world. Sends the message to girls that growing stronger doesn't mean you have to be all hard edges. Beautiful.
— Xmas (@xmasmartin) February 20, 2021
Even the Los Angeles Times hopped in the conversation asking their readers to sound off, which led to more bashing of the photographer's skills.
What do you think of the photo shoot? Let us know in the comments inside of the post https://t.co/HBWMSouFrD
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) February 19, 2021
"As a professional photographer I have to say that particular photo being used with her chin up is a pretty bad shot and would be considered an outtake for me. Everything else I’ve seen is nice but I know I would never show a shot like that I took to a client," a tweet response read.
As a professional photographer I have to say that particular photo being used with her chin up is a pretty bad shot and would be considered an outtake for me. Everything else I’ve seen is nice but I know I would never show a shot like that I took to a client.
— Bambi (@IDareUBambi) February 20, 2021
Harper's Bazaar reported that Meg had a hand in her shoot, selecting and editing images. In the article, she candidly discussed how her life has shifted during the coronavirus pandemic and how she's spending more time writing and working on finishing up her degree in health administration at Texas Southern University where she's in her last semester.
“I feel like I was tested, and I’ve passed," she said in the interview.
