Calvin Klein apologises for 'queerbaiting' advert showing kiss between Bella Hadid and fictional woman Lil Miquela
Calvin Klein has apologised after being accused of “queerbaiting” in an advert which depicted heterosexual model Bella Hadid kissing another woman.
The advert shows Hadid with Lil Miquela, a computer-generated 'robotic' model, as part of the brand’s latest “My Calvins” campaign.
The advert was shared on fictional creation Lil Miquela’s twitter, to her 21,000 followers, with the caption: “I am here. That is my truth.”
The advert begins with Hadid standing in a Calvin shirt before the camera pans to include Lil Miquela.I am here. That is my truth. #MYTRUTH #MYCALVINS@bellahadid @CalvinKlein pic.twitter.com/gjMyHHXjHB
— Miquela (@lilmiquela) May 16, 2019
Hadid then puts her hand on the robot model’s neck as the pair lock eyes before sharing the intimate moment.
This prompted a backlash due to the depiction of a same sex kiss featuring a model who does not identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
I'm so excited to be part of this, thank you @CalvinKlein #MYTRUTH #MYCALVINS pic.twitter.com/nogNMrPKkx
— Miquela (@lilmiquela)
In a statement, Calvin Klein said it welcomed “all types of constructive feedback” and apologised for causing offence.
“We understand and acknowledge how featuring someone who identifies as heterosexual in a same-sex kiss could be perceived as queerbaiting,” the statement said.
“As a company with a longstanding tradition of advocating LGBTQ+ rights, it was certainly not our intention to misrepresent the LGBTQ+ community. We sincerely regret an offence we caused.”