Music

Cardi B Apologizes After Many Were Offended By Her Hindu Goddess Photoshoot

Getty Image ‘If people think I’m offending their culture or their religion I want to say I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘That was not my intent.’ …

Back in October, Cardi B unveiled the Club C Cardi shoe, a collaboration with Reebok that would go on sale on November 13. As a part of its rollout, she did a cover shoot for Footwear News, but the resulting image received a large amount of criticism after it appeared to emulate the Hindu culture, which many found disrespectful.

Cardi b did not pay “homage” to the Hindu goddess Durga by holding a shoe in her hand, this is plain disrespect and in no way cultural appreciation. she can’t getaway with this without addressing and apologizing for mocking our culture pic.twitter.com/ZLVcz0mBlB
— Hana (@MissAmericHANA) November 11, 2020

you're fucking kidding this is so disrespectful to hindu culture?? how do celebrities not understand that using other people's culture to promote their brand is wrong on so many levels!? On top of that they're comparing CARDI B to a hindu goddess… worms for brains. pic.twitter.com/Oz7g79VMqn
— sami (@soobmoob) November 11, 2020

One person labeled it as “plain disrespect,” saying that the cover is “in no way cultural appreciation,” while another asked, “how do celebrities not understand that using other people’s culture to promote their brand is wrong on so many levels!?” In response to the backlash, Cardi apologized for offending people with the photoshoot.

Cardi Addressing The Hindu Situation In Apologizing Pt 1 Via: Instagram stories pic.twitter.com/YRo2XKXK9s
— The Popular Table (@PopularCardiB) November 11, 2020

“When I did the Reebok shoot, the creatives told me I was going to represent a Goddess; that she represents strength, femininity, and liberation, and that’s something I love and I’m all about,” she said. “And though it was dope, if people think I’m offending their culture or their religion I want to say I’m sorry. That was not my intent. I do not like disrespecting nobody’s religion. I wouldn’t like people to offend my religion.” She added, “I wasn’t trying to be disrespectful; maybe I should have done my research, I’m sorry, I can’t change the past, but I will do more research for the future.”

View this post on Instagram

Yesterday we posted content from our exclusive Cardi B cover shoot. One of the images was intended to pay homage to Hindu goddess Durga, and our intent was to show a powerful woman. However, we realize we were not considerate of certain cultural and religious perspectives and how this could be perceived as deeply offensive. We take full accountability for this oversight and we apologize. It is important we learn from this example and are sensitive to this sort of religious imagery when creative discussions are taking place in the future. Today, we’re releasing another cover from the shoot that was a subscriber exclusive. : @jorafrantzis
A post shared by Footwear News (@footwearnews) on Nov 11, 2020 at 11:01am PST

Footwear News also shared a statement on the issue with People. “Yesterday we posted content from our exclusive Cardi B cover shoot. One of the images was intended to pay homage to Hindu goddess Durga, and our intent was to show a powerful woman,” the magazine said. “However, we realize we were not considerate of certain cultural and religious perspectives and how this could be perceived as deeply offensive.” They added, “Today, we’re releasing another cover from the shoot that was a subscriber exclusive.”

Cardi B is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

Tweet LinkedIn PinShares0

Artist Spotlight

Alwyn Morrison scales through with new single “Chained”

Alwyn Morrison’s new single, “Chained,” hits hard with its heartfelt message, offering an honesty rare in music today. Written while he was flying to Europe, this song comes from deeply personal experiences and showcases Alwyn’s most vulnerable side yet.

Teaming up with his longtime friend Michael Ales for songwriting and working with producer Michael Carey in Los Angeles, Alwyn creates a sound that feels both rich and simple. The guitar-driven music is full of warmth, exhaustion, and hope.

“Chained” plunges into the complex realities of loving someone who struggles with depression. Alwyn beautifully captures the heavy feelings that come with it, expressing the helplessness, loyalty, and quiet sadness often accompanying such love. His lyrics paint a vivid picture, inviting you to share the emotional journey of navigating the hidden struggles that can tie two people together.

The track’s raw honesty resonates with anyone who has faced challenges in love. It reminds us that sometimes love means standing by someone going through tough times. In “Chained,” Alwyn Morrison captures real human experiences and turns them into music that sticks with you.

Artist Spotlight

Ava Valianti turns self-doubt into art with “Laugh Track”

In her new single, “Laugh Track,” Ava Valianti takes us on a peculiar journey through her thoughts and feelings, which many can connect to. With a mix of dark humor and raw honesty, Ava shares her experience of feeling like life is more of a series of awkward moments rather than a smooth story where she’s the star.

Drawing inspiration from movies and shows that explore deep emotions, like The Truman Show and How I Met Your Mother’s Ted Mosby, “Laugh Track” captures the unsettling feeling of always being on stage, even when nobody’s watching. It resounds with anyone who has sat alone and questioned whether the laughter around them is meant for them or at their expense.

The song combines deeper sounds with a light, catchy vibe, making its heavy themes approachable enough for dancing. Ava’s voice is strong and open, giving each line an authentic feeling that hits home.

“Laugh Track” is a stand-out because it embraces chaos. Ava doesn’t wrap up her insecurity and self-doubt in a tidy package. Instead, she celebrates the messiness of life and finds comfort in the imperfect characters we often see on TV and in ourselves. “Laugh Track” mirrors our experiences. Like the best comedy shows, it makes you laugh, feel uncomfortable, and reminds you that you’re not alone in your struggles.

For more information about Ava Valianti, please visit [website].
CLICK HERE TO STREAM Ava Valianti’s “Dreaming“ on Spotify.
CONNECT WITH Ava Valianti | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook |