Kyle Richards, Megyn Kelly defend Gwen Stefani amid backlash over ‘I’m Japanese’ claim

January 12, 2023

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Two TV personalities have come forward to defend Gwen Stefani against accusations of cultural appropriation after the singer insisted that she is Japanese.

Stefani, 53, made the claim in a recent interview with Allure while promoting her new vegan skincare line, GXVE Beauty. During the interview, she was asked about the backlash she received during the release of her previous fragrance collection, Harajuku Lovers.

“My God, I’m Japanese and I didn’t know it,” Stefani told Allure Senior Editor Jesa Marie Calaor. “I am, you know.”

The singer’s declaration immediately triggered massive backlash; however, there are also those who came to her defense.

“Everyone can’t wait to be offended by something,” commented “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” star Kyle Richards on an E! News Instagram post.

Page Six noted that the reality TV star has been accused of racial insensitivity in the past, as co-star Garcelle Beauvais had to school her on racial undertones in 2021 after Richards accused her of withholding a promised $5,000 donation.

Stefani also found an ally in conservative journalist Megyn Kelly, who compared the singer’s remark to a person coming out as transgender.

“No problem for Gwen Stefani to come out tomorrow and say, ‘I am a man,’” Kelly said on her SiriusXM show.

“She can say it, no problem. But ‘I am Japanese’ has caused the people at Allure to ‘tsk-tsk’ her with all these experts weighing in, saying she’s culturally appropriated again, and they’re angry.”

Kelly went on to stress that Stefani’s comment is not “a Hilaria Baldwin situation,” referencing the yoga instructor’s Spanish heritage controversy. She also called Calaor a “dumb*ss.”

“Obviously the implication was, ‘In my soul, I connected with these people and their culture’ and how beautiful it was,” Kelly said. “That is a compliment, you dumb*ss Allure writer. It is not a Hilaria Baldwin situation, where she claims she’s from Spain, and she’s not. Anyway, I think it’s funny.”

Stefani, for her part, has yet to address the latest backlash. Allure reportedly sought an “on-the-record comment or clarification” of her remarks, but her team “declined to provide a statement or participate in a follow-up interview.”

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