July 5th 2023.
Megan Thee Stallion closed out the Essence Festival on Sunday night with a bang, bringing some of her Hotties on stage for a twerktastic Hot Girl Bootcamp session. The performance was captured by The Neighborhood Talk and posted on Instagram, but veteran R&B soul singer India Arie wasn't feeling the hype.
In the post's comment section, Arie expressed her disapproval, questioning what is appropriate context for a stage performance.
"The issue is what is CONTEXT," she wrote. "Humanity does EVERYTHING. But does EVERYTHING BELONG IN A STAGE?"
Arie went on to note how everything does not belong on stage, nor is everything meant for kids or big audiences.
"So when we as a culture make something like this mainstream, it shows a lack of discretion and discernment," she explained.
She said that anyone who supports Meg's twerk session at Essence Fest has "the right" to support it, but there are just as many people who want our "mainstream" representation to "show us in a respectful light." Arie then went "on the record" to say that Meg's Hot Girl Bootcamp performance "won't age well." Arie also shared her love for both Megan and Janelle Monae, but said she didn't "like this moment."
Fans shared their take on India Arie's rant, with one explaining the history of Essence Festival performances and why Arie wasn't too far off in her sentiments.
"Ok before y'all get mad at India Essence Fest is not known for having these kinds of 'performances'," they wrote. "The sets are more classy and showcasing elegance, soul and black excellence."
Another fan agreed, saying that Essence magazine, EssenceFest etc was for the classy, sophisticated Black woman.
Others debated saying there is a new generation of adult Black women who much like Megan and Janell, are fine with feeling liberated in their bodies and sexuality. Plus, it's Hot Girl Summer!
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