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Social media users are accusing American country singer Kacey Musgraves of cultural appropriation after wearing áo dài, a traditional Vietnamese outfit, without any trousers.
🎥 | @KaceyMusgraves cantando “Wonder Woman” no show de Dallas. pic.twitter.com/JMSEAyLYDK
— Kacey Musgraves Brasil (@kaceybrasil) October 11, 2019
The 31-year-old six-time Grammy Award-winning artist sparked immediate controversy during her concert in Dallas on October 10, according to The Daily Dot.
📸 | Kacey Musgraves durante o show de Dallas. pic.twitter.com/Oq0AbdPPsv
— Kacey Musgraves Brasil (@kaceybrasil) October 11, 2019
The same outfit was also shared on the artist’s Instagram Story but was later removed.
If you wanna bring Ao Dai on stage. Fine. But do not sexualize it by not putting the fucking pants on. This is absolutely disrespectful and degrading. Do you even know what you’re wearing? #educateyourself please pic.twitter.com/im5sRUIyvm
— An (@itsanxoxo) October 12, 2019
Aside from the outfit, some Twitter users also pointed out the headpiece Musgraves wore with the dress and many do not know what it was.
Kacey Musgraves is an incredible human, but the self-awareness in this is lacking to say the least.
The nature of white ppl to pick and choose (half of ao dai and whatever is on her head??) pieces of Asian culture honestly repulses me. https://t.co/rUqXJxFFrC
— Melanie Liu (@MelCLiu) October 12, 2019
The áo dài has been an icon of Vietnamese culture as the outfit highlights the graceful beauty of Vietnamese women, VN Express reported.
The dress comes with a slit on both sides and paired with an undergarment.
@KaceyMusgraves btw this is how u correctly wear a traditional viet ao dai,,, WITH PANTS,,, and not with random south asain jewelry pic.twitter.com/lRKjqKInMx
— kim🌻 (@_kimberlyphan_) October 14, 2019
Some users pointed out how other artists wore the dress and respected it by not removing the pants.
My faves looking absolutely gorgeous wearing 🇻🇳 national costume – ao dai, Kacey Musgraves can’t relate. #BoA #Rihanna #NaomiCampbell #TyraBanks pic.twitter.com/r0y3mABvFU
— JASON B 🚀 #mood (@91jasonng) October 13, 2019
Musgraves has yet to respond to the backlash.
