Blue Ivy Carter showed up to a Disney-related event dressed like a Disney princess — and it created controversy.
On Monday, the daughter of singer Beyoncé and rapper Jay-Z appeared with her parents at the world premiere of “Mufasa: The Lion King” in a strapless, gold Christian Siriano ballgown.
The 12-year-old attended the Los Angeles screening after voicing the character Kiara in the Disney film, which is set to hit theaters next week.
But as soon as photos of the event hit X, formerly Twitter, some users said that her outfit was “too mature” for a preteen. One highly viewed post not only called the dress “wildly inappropriate,” but suggested that it looked “like she’s launching an OnlyFans career” — a reference to a platform known for its explicit content.
Another user suggested that the girl was “sexualized” by the gown, and that her parents were “dressing her like she’s 17-18 year old.”
Yet, much of this outrage was quickly shut down by other X users who said such criticism was out of line.
“First of all, she looks gorgeous,” singer and actor Christina Milian said on Tuesday’s broadcast of the “Sherri” talk show when the controversy was brought up. “The fact that anybody has anything to say about someone else’s daughter, any minor, I think, just mind your business.”
Mental health experts have said that shaming a young person for their clothing choices isn’t helpful.
Clinical psychologist Lisa Damour told The Washington Post in 2019 that criticism of a teen girl’s clothing risks implying that she is “somehow responsible for regulating the male gaze.”
“At some level, this is pretty low-stakes stuff,” Damour told the Post, noting that wearing something revealing isn’t the same as doing heroin.
“We’re talking about a decision that can be made and unmade in a day,” she added, suggesting that concerned adults start a “conversation around questions of empowerment and objectification” rather than simply reprimand.
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Similarly, mental health therapist Rudy Hernandez told HuffPost earlier this year that parents should “try their best to not criticize or judge the teen for their clothing choices.” Instead, he indicated that “a broader conversation about style and what they’re hoping to get across” would be more beneficial.
Hernandez suggested ways for parents to broach the topic with a child — like asking “Why do you want to wear that?” or “What sort of statement are you hoping to send with your clothing?” — and said to listen closely to their answers.
