To be shocked Ariana Grande is White

[IslandGyal]

I’ve just discovered the new trend of ‘blackfishing’ whereby white celebrities and models try and appear racially ambiguous.

I think it’s more common in the states. However one of the most common examples is Ariana Grande who seems to have almost changed races.

See the picture in this article: medium.com/@abbs664/ariana-grande-blackfishing-d42a8cb726ea

Is anyone else kinda shocked that Grande is a white Italian.

I always assumed she was Latin American or mixed race black. It’s also quite problematic that she appears to tone down her look when it suits by appearing lighter on vogue.

Aibu

Isn’t supporting the business of one specific ethnicity a form of racism? At the very least discrimination.

Do people really back ground check this much into a small online business for example?

I’m half-Italian and have type 4 skin color on the Fitzpatrick scale. I’ve been assumed Greek, Brazilian, French, Puerto Rican, Turkish and Indian over the years. It’s par for the course when you’re olive-skinned.

I dont know Simon, depends if you release traditionally black music singing in an AAVE accent. Something the deliberately obtuse on here are avoiding addressing at all costs.

@Faultymain5 I agree. I wasn't talking about the reason though. I just mean both are harmful to the skin/body and are about changing/altering/"improving" colour somewhat.

I am no more shocked she is a white Italian than the same applying t Donatella Versace, OP.

I think you are overcooking the egg and she like many other young girls these days are over-doing the fake tan, probably on the advice of her management who benefit handsomely....

We have much much much more serious issues going on right now in the world than this surely to God?

[quote VladmirsPoutine]@Faultymain5 You genuinely believe tanning and bleaching are the same? Really? Mind = Blown![/quote]
How are they different (other than the damage bleaching can cause of course)?
They both change the skins natural colour in a none permanent way.

Cani as I said a few posts back, cultural appropriation doesn't work both ways as white people aren't oppressed. Bleaching the skin paler isn't as 'bad' as deliberately making it look way darker to appear racially different.

@user1471565182

I dont know Simon, depends if you release traditionally black music singing in an AAVE accent. Something the deliberately obtuse on here are avoiding addressing at all costs.

She doesn’t release traditionally black music, nor does she use AAVE.

"The White women of Mumsnet...."

greypurse - exactly!
I am a quarter Arab and the rest very much blonde haired blue eyed northerm european until I go in the sun - my skin quickly and deeply darkens.
Get sick of being told I over do the fake tan and never heard of blackfishing but have been called other things in a similar vein - and am not allowed to consider myself BAME because I am white!!

Blackfishing/appropriation definitely exists and is a problem. Ariana grande is not a good example at all.
The photos in that article have been photoshopped it would take a 5 minute google to work that out. She is naturally tanned due to her heritage which she talks about quite frequently, just like she talks about her hair extensions.
There are much better examples to start a discussion with if that is what you would like to do.

@contrmary why do you assume that the OP is basing her thoughts as to what Ariana Grandes race is based on how she acts? I thought that she was of Latin descent based on her appearance, nothing else. I don't know how she acts, I've only ever seen the odd photo of her.

She doesn’t release traditionally black music, nor does she use AAVE.

This.

(And disclaimer: I am not white)

Simon Naughty, naughty tanning through six shades so the pigeon holer racists can't pin you down.

Tut tut.

I love this meme 😂

I have not read all the comment.

Just want to add I'm a female and was born in the UK so consider myself English but with Italian parents both my mum and dad are Italian mum from the north / dad from the South of Italy

I have been mistaken as mixed race on occasions when I've had a tan as my skin tans really dark when I go in the sun .

But when it's out of the sun I'm very very white it weird how it changes and nobody would every say I'm mixed race then.

And Rita Ora is North Albanian ethnic.

The place is awash with natural blondes/olived skinned people.

Just because most North Americans are insular, doesn't mean most Europeans are.

I can go from see-through white in winter to super dark tanned if I can be bothered go outside in summer. I’m Italian by ancestry, it’s very common.

I thought she was hungarian but this is a thing!

I can see why it is offensive. Trying on a look, that you can take off.

Lilac I know someone who bleaches, and as others have experienced, her heritage is often wrongly guessed. Unlike AG, they don’t talk about their heritage.

[quote VladmirsPoutine]@Faultymain5 You genuinely believe tanning and bleaching are the same? Really? Mind = Blown![/quote]
Did I say that?

I mean both are not good for you, so they have similarities, but did I say that?

I'm sure I mentioned it was an interesting perspective from someone else.

What race are these women OP?
Where are they from?

@LilacPebbles

Cani as I said a few posts back, cultural appropriation doesn't work both ways as white people aren't oppressed. Bleaching the skin paler isn't as 'bad' as deliberately making it look way darker to appear racially different.

What makes you think people are doing it to appear a different race though, rather than wanting to look like a white person with a tan? For years white people have tanned for vanity and because it is seen as being healthy looking having a tan. As an extremely pale person I have been teased about my skin colour, asked if I am unwell etc if I gave a crap I would tan to avoid all the comments on my extreme paleness, not to try and pretend to be black. If this Ariana one was trying to pretend she was black surely she wouldn't be so open about her actual heritage?

@user1471565182

I dont know Simon, depends if you release traditionally black music singing in an AAVE accent. Something the deliberately obtuse on here are avoiding addressing at all costs.

I've tried to talk about this a few times (and other posters have, too) and you and the OP have ignored it. It's fine if your mind is set and you don't want to discuss, but it's not fine to do that and then accuse others of trying to avoid the question.

Look at MJ he seriously bleached his skin to the point that many questioned his paternity due to his children’s skin colour.
Of course there are those that claim it was a skin condition.