“Is Bad Bunny “canceled?“
As we learn more and more about this unexpected romance between Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner, conversations have sparked within the Latinx community, with some outraged with Benito’s (Bad Bunny’s) words not matching his actions. While some believe that it shouldn’t matter to fans who he is dating, others feel betrayed and confused about whether this is real or not.
While this all began as a rumor, paparazzi photos spotting the two together were recently published online. Not only that but Bad Bunny was recently featured on a new track by Eladio Carrión, “Coco Chanel”, in which Benito not only references Kendall Jenner but also shades basketball player Devin Booker, Kendall’s ex.
While many are still not sold on this relationship as more than a PR stunt, fans believe that whether this is real or not, it’s hypocritical of Benito. As someone who’s brought so much pride to so many underrepresented communities, it’s bewildering to see him join a family that’s gained fame through their usage of cultural appropriation.
Benito has dedicated his career to spreading awareness for not only Puerto Rico but for women and the LGBTQ+ community. His music video for “El Apagon ” was a 20-minute mini-documentary highlighting the corruption in Puerto Rico. He has songs like “Andrea” and “Yo Perreo Sola” in which he gives women a voice in a genre that’s so often misogynistic and sexist. He performed on The Tonight Show, wearing a skirt and shirt saying “Mataron a Alexa, no a un hombre con falda” (They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt) after the murder of Alexa Negrón Luciano, a homeless trans woman who was killed in Puerto Rico. This opened up the conversation of transphobia on the island that would not have received media attention without Benito. But now his actions are not matching up with his words.
Many think fans are exaggerating, but it’s really that deep. There are many opinions to be had about the Kardashians/Jenners, but you can’t deny their problematic history. Kendall Jenner, specifically, had the controversial Pepsi Ad she never genuinely apologized for. I say this because in her “apology,” she basically said “I’m sorry you were offended” as she cried through the whole thing. I don’t think she was sorry about what the ad represented, she was just sorry because people were coming for her. Kendall’s most recent business venture, Tequila 818, is also a venture into cultural appropriation. Her lack of knowledge of Mexican culture is very apparent and claiming it to be the “best-tasting tequila” is absurd and discredits hundreds of Mexican-owned businesses. Again, it may not seem deep to some, but it is. It’s about how this family continues to profit from the work of black and brown people for their own benefit.
News of Carliz De La Cruz Hernandez, Bad Bunny’s ex-girlfriend, has recently been reported in which we learn she is suing Bad Bunny for $40 million over her voice being used in two of his songs without full consent. Fans of Benito are taking Hernandez’s side and believe this is the “Kardashian Kurse” taking its course. We’ll just have to wait and see how this all plays out.
Whether this romance between Kendall and Benito is real or not, it’s left a bad taste in many fans’ mouths about Benito’s real morals and character. The work he’s done for the Latinx community and other underrepresented communities can’t be denied, but his actions aren’t currently aligning with what he claims to morally represent. While it’s sad, it’s important to hold artists accountable, even if they’re your fav.