Tina Knowles Defends Beyoncé Amid Skin-Color Controversy
Beyoncé’s mother, Tina Knowles, has fiercely responded to social media criticism suggesting that the singer lightened her skin for the premiere of her film, “Renaissance.”
At the red carpet event on Saturday, Beyoncé showcased a platinum blonde hair look and wore a silver dress, in line with the film’s silver-themed aesthetic.
Some individuals on social media accused her of altering her appearance, claiming she “looks so white.” In an Instagram post, Tina Knowles addressed these comments, denouncing them as racist and labeling accusers as “stupid,” “ignorant,” and “self-hating.”
In her post, Tina highlighted the film’s theme, emphasizing that the silver elements were part of the Renaissance concept. She expressed frustration, stating, “you bozos decide that she’s trying to be a white woman and is bleaching her skin?”
Tina Knowles accompanied her defense with a video montage of Beyoncé, featuring a photo from the premiere, set to the singer’s empowering track, “Brown Skin Girl.” The song, released in 2019, celebrates blackness and features her daughter, Blue Ivy, singing lyrics like “Brown skin girl/ Your skin just like pearls/ The best thing in the world.”
Beyoncé, in a documentary about the film, previously discussed the significance of empowering lyrics and representation. She highlighted the joy of fathers singing “Brown Skin Girl” to their daughters, promoting confidence and pride in one’s appearance.
Tina’s Instagram post, shared on Tuesday night, has garnered over 250,000 likes. The 69-year-old expressed frustration with ongoing attacks on her daughter, noting Beyoncé’s commitment to uplifting and promoting black women and underrepresented voices.
While acknowledging that Beyoncé might be annoyed by her public defense, Tina declared she was “fed up” with the constant criticism. She defended Beyoncé’s character, stating, “This girl minds her own business. She helps people whenever she can. She lifts up and promotes black women and underdogs at all times.”
“Renaissance: A Film by Beyoncé,” documenting the world tour of her Grammy-winning album, premiered in Los Angeles on Saturday and is set for a global cinema release on Friday. The album, Beyoncé’s first solo project in six years, received acclaim for its fusion of black and queer influences, securing a number-one spot upon its release.
