'Disgusting. Disrespectful': Reality star faces backlash over 'problematic' Native American costume
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Kenya Moore is under fire after donning a Native American costume during a recent episode of the Bravo reality series, "The Real Housewives of Atlanta." On the most recent episode of the series, the 50-year-old attended a Halloween party hosted by Falynn Guobadia, wearing a feather headdress and faux suede outfit.
While Moore told guests she was dressed as a "warrior princess," her costume choice did not go over well with her co-stars and fans.
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“Kenya’s Native American costume is super problematic, but I ain’t trying to ruffle no feathers for this girls trip," her co-star Drew Sidora said during the episode. "It seems like I’m the only one who sees the issues with Kenya Moore’s decisions."
“Kenya is a Native American warrior. I thought we weren’t doing that anymore. I knew that this girl was crazy, but add lame to the list, add whack to the list,” Porsha Williams added.
In addition to Moore's "Housewives" cast-mates, fans have taken to social media to share their dismay with the star's controversial look.
I hate this shit too, @KenyaMoore cultural appropriation as a costume? Really Kenya?? 🙄 #RHOA pic.twitter.com/BcTZp0M5Q7
— 𝘓𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 💎 (@bravobyleland) March 22, 2021
"Cultural appropriation as a costume? Really Kenya?," one person tweeted.
"I know the episode is airing today, but October 2020 was not that long ago!," another fan added. "Kenya Moore should know better than to wear a Native American headdress for Halloween! Disgusting! Disrespectful!"
"You need to apologize for that 'costume,'" someone else tweeted.
"Kenya... We don’t dress up as Native Americans. If you’re wondering how it’s problematic, think of how you’d feel if someone dressed up as an African American," another wrote.
Kenya...we don’t dress up as Native Americans. If you’re wondering how it’s problematic, think of how you’d feel if someone dressed up as an African American.
— 🌸 (@GraceLove_Peace) March 22, 2021
Eventually, Moore fired back at the criticism, insinuating that because of her own cultural background, her costume was justified.
"I know Kenya didn’t shade Porsha all season about her work with the BLM movement and then showed up with an Indigenous people costume. two strikes," someone tweeted.
Moore retweeted the comment and simply replied, "Also part of my heritage."
Some fans even sided with Moore on this issue, noting that several African and Caribbean cultures wear feather headdresses.
"Africans, Caribbean’s and different people of colour wear headpieces," someone tweeted, along with a link to a photo of Nicki Minaj wearing a traditional Caribbean feather headdress. "In the Caribbean and some parts of Africa, they are worn. Folks who don't know their history perish."
Moore's co-star, Kandi Burruss came to her defence during the "Real Housewives of Atlanta After Show" admitting that she "didn't think anything" of her friend's costume.
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"I don't think she was wearing the costume to mock anyone, and I think she thought it was a beautiful costume because it's the sign of a leader — a chief is someone to look up to, not to be made fun of," said Burruss, "And I don't think she was doing it as a joke to be mean or anything like that."
