PETA slams Beyonce, not for her electrifying Super Bowl halftime performance, but for what the star wore during it. Of course, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is totally against incorporating any animal skin in clothing. The animal rights group is known for staging elaborate protests against stars who wear fur. However, it was Beyonce’s use of python, iguana and trapunto/pick stitched leather on her Super Bowl halftime costume that has the group up in arms.
The “Dance for You’ singer’s costume designer gave insight into how much time an effort goes into making the megastar’s effortless-looking costumes. “Over the next two months there were no less than five fittings and well over 200-man hours with a team of 14 dedicated to creating the final look…,” Rubin Singer said. “One full week leading up to the event in daily dress rehearsals at the Superdome was also required to make sure everything was perfect for the big night.”
However, PETA doesn’t care about how much effort went into the animal-containing costume. They spoke out against Queen Bey’s outfit, releasing an official statement. “We would take a bet that if Beyoncé watched our video exposes she’d probably not want to be seen again in anything made of snakes, lizards, rabbits, or other animals who died painfully. Today’s fashions are trending toward humane vegan options, and Beyoncé’s Super Bowl outfit missed the mark on that score.”
While PETA does have some very active celebrities supporters such as Alicia Silverstone and Russell Simmons, the organizations has its fair share of critics as well. One main criticism is their double standard of exploitation. While PETA supporters detest the use of animals for everything from clothing to seeing eye dogs (yes, PETA is against the use of seeing eye dogs to aid the blind in living a more independent life), the organization has no issue using naked women to sell their ideas. The “I’d Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign has been slammed by critics as not only distasteful, but exploitive of women as well. Apparently, PETA knows that sex sells and isn’t afraid to use it in order to gain attention for animal rights.
Betty White, a celebrity who has been a supporter of the animal rights group, has changed her tune. In an interview dating back to June 2009, the ‘Golden Girls’ star slammed PETA saying: “They not only give misinformation but disinformation . . . They won’t listen, and it infuriates me. I’m sure they love animals but they should find out the facts.”
No one from Beyonce’s PR team has addressed PETA at this time. So, should Beyonce forgo animal skins and products and go the all vegan route in her costumes for her upcoming tour? Has PETA gone too far in slamming Beyonce for her Super Bowl halftime performance outfit?
