Mathew Knowles is praising the “King Richard” film starring Will Smith and Aunjanue Ellis while also calling out the people who have criticized it.
The father of four, who, akin to the real-life Richard Williams, has been a major influence in his daughter Beyoncè Knowles’ music career, reposted a screenshot of the cover art for the film. He used the caption space to open up a new dialogue regarding his fans’ opinions about the movie.
“King Richard is one of the best movies I’ve every had the opportunity to watch,” he started before addressing the haters of the film. The 69-year-old continued, “Since slavery America has not wanted our black men viewed in a positive light, flourish as entrepreneurs or to be known as pioneers or business strategist (Be clear I’m taking nothing away from our black sisters).”
Knowles then gave props to Williams for his dedication to his daughter’s careers. “Agree or disagree, Mr. Richard had a plan and didn’t deviate. He also understood the value of content and most of all had two extremely gifted, talented and passionate daughters who believed in their dads vision. I would like to hear your thoughts on the movie.”
The entrepreneur did not specify which criticism of the film he saw that made him write his own thoughts about it, but last month, a self-identified white radical feminist went viral with her evaluation of the Will Smith-produced film.
Along with other posts she wrote, “I get this has annoyed people but I genuinely didn’t expect a film about two of the most powerful, successful and amazing black female athletes to be named after a man, or centre a man. I would have loved this film to be all about them, and not a man. That’s it really.” Many celebrities, including actors of the film, came to defend the film and the choice to make it about Williams instead of Venus and Serena Williams.
Fans reacting to Knowles caption said, “There’s no lie in this statement” and “He ready for the King Knowles movie.”
But others weren’t so quick to agree with Knowles and used the opportunity to bring up his past of infidelity, which led to him and his ex-wife Tina Knowles getting divorced. “Yes but having a baby on your beautiful family doesn’t help the matter,” one person said.
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