“T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle” actess Toya Wright is currently under fire for rocking a Gucci shirt.
Earlier this year, the Italian clothing brand sparked an array of controversy on social media after being accused of selling a garment that strongly resembled blackface. The incident incited a boycott by rapper T.I., a family friend of Wright’s, who urged Black folks to stop purchasing from higher-end fashion brands and reinvest the money into their own community. Therefore, it was a shock to fans this week to spot the mother of two still rocking Gucci months later.
Saturday afternoon, the 36-year-old reality star took to Instagram and posted a photo of herself and companion Robert “Red” Rushing posing for a picture together at the Ray Charles Plaza in Albany, Georgia. The couple were apparently in town for their Weigh No More 5K event.
In the photo, Wright wore a black Gucci t-shirt retailing for $480, paired with leggings and Givenchy slides. Her boyfriend Rushing was sporting athleisure wear.
After spotting the “Friends and Family” star’s Gucci wear, fans were immediately infuriated.
“Wow black folks still ain’t learned yet to stop wearing these racist white brands smh 😑 super disappointed in you Toya.”
“Really Toya. Gucci huh?? Wonder what @troubleman31 thinks of that.”
“Only black folk still pay for and proudly wear clothing made by ppl who blatantly hate and disrespect them. Sorry @toyawright unfollowing you 😒.”
“Wow after all of that and u still wearing Gucci. You should be ashamed Toya 😡!”
In February, Gucci immediately pulled a $890 black wool balaclava sweater that included a red cut-out for the mouth with bright red lips, evoking minstrel imagery. Social media users immediately deemed the garb “racist” and “offensive.”
The company apologized for its faux pas in a statement on Feb. 7, but it wasn’t well received by many folks, including the “Troubleman” rapper himself.
“Y’all GOT US fu–ed UP!!! APOLOGY NOT ACCEPTED. Our culture RUNS THIS S–T!” T.I. wrote on Instagram Friday, Feb. 8. “We (People of color) spend $1.25 TRILLION/year (but are the least respected and the least included)and if we stop buying ANYTHING they MUST correct any and ALL of our concerns.”
He also posted a “call to action,” urging supporters and fans to: “stop buying Gucci for 3 months.”
Wright never addressed the backlash from her supporters and fans. A few of her followers even jumped to her defense.
“To all that discriminate against Gucci I do to but Toya’s not supporting Gucci and it’s her pockets. So yaw mind the business that pays you 🙄.”
“It’s not like she’s promoting Gucci plus if I paid $300 for a shirt I would still wear it too 🤷.”
