Travis Scott has ‘nothing but respect’ for LGBT community after Astroworld cover controversy
Amanda Lepore (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)
Rapper Travis Scott has responded to accusations of transphobia after apparently removing transgender model Amanda Lepore from the cover of his new album.
The musician, who released Astroworld last week, said he was sorry for the “misunderstanding” in an Instagram post.
He wrote: “Thank you David LaChapelle and Amanda Lepore and everyone that came out to make all the covers and all the vision come to life!
“Astroworld is about love and expression not hate! This is very important for me to speak up about: Growing up I’ve been taught to accept everyone, not to cast people away but bring them into your home! I have nothing but respect for the LGBTQ community.”
He continued: “I want to use my voice to make it clear that everyone on this planet is as equal and fucking awesome to the next. Me and LaChapelle set out to create images that I grew up watching him create for years that inspire me today.
“Yo Amanda you did upstage everyone even me,” he added, with a smiley face emoji.
“I can’t wait for everyone to see the booklet that me and Dave put together that includes all these images. Thank you for being a part of it. Sorry for the misunderstanding love you guys and thank you all!”
Last week, Scott released the cover art for his album Astroworld, shot by David LaChapelle, which features Scott’s head in a theme park surrounded by models and props.
A version of the cover shared by LaChapelle, however, featured trans icon Lepore, suggesting she had been erased from Scott’s version.
When Lepore became aware of she had been removed from the cover, she questioned the move via her Instagram account.
She wrote: “It was great being part of @LaChapelleland ‘s incredible photograph of @trvisXX’s album cover but I’m curious why I’m not on the picture @trvisXX posted?”
The move led to Scott being accused of transphobia by social media users.
Aquaria, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10, also accused Scott of discrimination.
On Twitter, she wrote: “Also fun fact: u can tell exactly the mindset and beliefs of (presumably) travis and (specifically) his fans by the repulsive remarks they share about a very valid complaint about the artwork regardless of who’s complaining. Grab a towel. Your phobias are showing [sic].
“Also I know it’s hard to resist sometimes but, in the nicest way to my supporters and followers, there’s rarely a good reason to fight back to someone with 4 followers. Followers aren’t everything but their message isn’t being heard so it’s best not to amplify it when noticed.”
