The model’s presence on the original David LaChapelle-shot piece appeared to have been removed from the final version of the artwork
Travis Scott has responded to criticism after he appeared to remove the revered trans model Amanda Lepore from the final version of a piece of promotional artwork for his new album.
The Texan rapper released ‘Astroworld’ on Friday (August 3), which is his third solo studio album.
‘Astroworld’ currently has two different album artworks, both of which were shot by photographer David LaChapelle. The alternative cover is the artwork which has attracted the negative press, with LaChapelle’s original shot having seemingly been changed by Scott’s team for the finalised version.
In LaChapelle’s original piece (which you can see above), Lepore is featured among the other models looking around to the left of the shot. However, she is missing from the final version of the artwork, which Scott posted to Instagram on August 1.
However, Scott has now responded to the furore via social media. Issuing a statement, the rapper wrote: “This is very important for me to speak up about: Growing up I’ve been taught to accept everyone, not to cast people away but bring them into your home! I have nothing but respect for the LGBTQ community.”
“I want to use my voice to make it clear that everyone on this planet is as equal and as facing awesome to the next. Me and Lachappelle set out [to] create images that i grew up watching him create for years that inspire me today.”
He continued: “Yo Amanda you did upstage everyone even me…and I can’t wait for everyone to see the booklet that me and Dave put together that includes all these images. thank you for being apart of it. Sorry for the misunderstanding.”
EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO ASTROWORLD pic.twitter.com/npNZ53Fzzn
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) August 4, 2018
Lepore’s omission from the final artwork was criticised on social media, with RuPaul’s Drag Race season 10 winner Aquaria highlighting the difference between the two artworks on Twitter – adding “Hi transphobia! I just saw transphobia gurl!”
The mysterious case of the disappearing Amanda…. hmmm @trvisXX 🙄 pic.twitter.com/COflbfoHVH
— Aquaria (@aquariaofficial) August 1, 2018
Hi transphobia! I just saw transphobia gurl!
— Aquaria (@aquariaofficial) August 1, 2018
In a statement, Lepore wrote on Instagram: “A girl can’t help it! I’m too distracting for the eyes. I upstaged everyone in the photograph! Oh well… I love David LaChapelle and Travis Scott. Love and kisses.”
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