Fenty Beauty has inclusivity in its DNA, as Rihanna made a point of ensuring all products are made to suit a wide variety of skin tones.
However, a fan pointed out that the singer and business woman should make a conscious effort to invite transgender models to the next casting call.
“I don’t think it’s fair that a trans woman, or man, be used as a convenient marketing tool,” the reply read.
“Too often I see companies doing this to trans and black women alike, There’s always just that one spot in the campaign for the token “we look mad diverse” girl/guy. It’s sad!”
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with many gifted trans women throughout the years, but I don’t go around doing trans castings,” the response explained.
“Just like I don’t do straight non trans women castings.
“I respect all women and whether they’re trans or not is none of my business.
“It’s personal and some trans women are more comfortable being open about it than others so I have to respect that as a woman myself.”
Some people took issue with the point made about not specifically hiring transgender models to avoid tokenism.
I also think that “It would be tokenism to just have one Trans Woman” is a weak argument. Like…. Ok, then, make ALL the models Trans. How’s that? If you can cast ALL cis models, then you can cast ALL Trans models.#HowBowDat https://t.co/WJt4PweBjo
November 30, 2017
What? I get her reasoning but at the same time including a trans woman or man to appreciate them isn’t exploiting them but rather celebrating them. A makeup company that lacks diversity could use the same excuse as Rihanna. It’s kinda bullshit
November 30, 2017
While others agreed with the statement that tokenism is not helpful, but countered that that doesn’t mean brands do not need to make a conscious effort to hire transgender and gender non-binary representatives.
We respect Rihanna and agree that Trans bodies are used as an easy way to make brands appear “inclusive”. But at this point visibility is integral for trans ppl. More brands need to be hiring trans/gnc ppl and poc in GENERAL. Ps: hiring them means paying them.
November 30, 2017
Trans women need exposure and should be normalized in media, and Fenty Beauty can play a big role in that! I don’t think she can apply those same politics to her current situation. They SHOULD be amplified
December 1, 2017
Just as it is essential for women with different ethnic makeups to be represented in the media – the same women who have not been mirrored in beauty campaigns for too long – transgender people and those who are non-binary need to be incorporated within the conversation, as well as being actively seen.
HuffPost UK has contacted Rihanna’s team at Fenty Beauty for comment and will update this article upon their response.