Gabriella Karefa-Johnson is speaking out on everything that happened recently regarding Kanye West.
As you may know, Kanye made headlines when he wore a shirt that said “White Lives Matter” at his fashion show on Monday (October 3). This resulted in much criticism. Gabriella, a highly-respected stylist and fashion contributor for Vogue, spoke out about Kanye’s actions, saying on social media:
“Here come the bullsh-t. I’m fuming… Indefensible behavior.”
The following morning, Kanye posted a photo of Gabriella and wrote many things about her. His actions towards her led to many voicing their support for the stylist.
On Wednesday (October 5), Gabriella finally broke her silence. She released a statement about the past 24 hours, which is said to have included a dinner with Kanye. Gabriella said in her statement:
“Your girl has been through it! I’m exhausted, but I am so moved by and grateful for the outpouring of love I’ve received (her and elsewhere) over the last 24 hours. I feel so blessed to belong to a community that would show up for me like this.
One thing about me: I will always speak my mind, and always try to honor my truth. My thoughts are my own, and I stand by them.”
Her statement comes as Kanye shared that he and Gabriella had a private meeting. He wrote on social media:
“GABBY IS MY SISTER. IM NOT LETTING PEOPLE GO TO BED THINKING I DIDN’T MEET WITH GABRIELLE AT 5 PM TODAY FOR 2 HOURS THEN WE WENT TO DINNER AT FERDIE,.
ANNA HAD BAZ LUHRMANN FILM OUR MEETING AND WE ARE EDITING TONIGHT.
WE TOOK PICS AND I WAS INSTRUCTED TO NOT POST THEM. IT FELT LIKE SHE WAS BEING USED LIKE TREVOR NOAH AND OTHER BLACK PEOPLE TO SPEAK ON MY EXPRESSION. SHE EXPRESSED THAT HER COMPANY DID NOT INSTRUCT HER TO SPEAK ON MY T SHIRT EXPRESSION. WE APOLOGIZED TO EACH OTHER FOR THE WAY WE MADE EACH OTHER FEEL WE ACTUALLY GOT ALONG AND HAVE BOTH EXPERIENCED THE FIGHT FOR ACCEPTANCE IN A WORLD THAT’S NOT OUR OWN. SHE DISAGREED I DISAGREED WE DISAGREED. AT LEAST WE BOTH LOVE FERDIE AND FASHION.”
And Vogue has issued a statement in response. Read what they said here:
“Vogue stands with Gabriella Karefa-Johnson, our global fashion editor at large and longtime contributor. She was personally targeted and bullied. It is unacceptable. Now more than ever, voices like hers are needed and in a private meeting with Ye today she once again spoke her truth in a way she felt best, on her terms.”
