Trans model Amanda Lepore questions why she was erased from Travis Scott’s album cover
Amanda Lepore (Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images)
Rapper Travis Scott is facing accusations of transphobia after trans model Amanda Lepore appeared to have been edited out of his new album cover.
Earlier this week, the musician released the cover art for his album “Astroworld,” shot by David LaChapelle, which features Scott’s head in a theme park surrounded by models.
Trans icon Lepore had featured in a previous version of the cover shared by LaChapelle, but she was nowhere to be seen in the version posted by the rapper.
When she became aware she had been removed from the album art, she questioned the move via her Instagram account.
She wrote: “It was great being part of @LaChapelleland ‘s incredible photograph of @trvisXX’s album cover but I’m curious why I’m not on the picture @trvisXX posted?”
The move has led to Scott being accused of transphobia by social media users.
Aquaria, the winner of RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10, also accused Scott of discrimination.
On Twitter, she wrote: “Also fun fact: u can tell exactly the mindset and beliefs of (presumably) travis and (specifically) his fans by the repulsive remarks they share about a very valid complaint about the artwork regardless of who’s complaining. Grab a towel. Your phobias are showing [sic].
“Also I know it’s hard to resist sometimes but, in the nicest way to my supporters and followers, there’s rarely a good reason to fight back to someone with 4 followers. Followers aren’t everything but their message isn’t being heard so it’s best not to amplify it when noticed,” she added.
LaChapelle responded to one of the claims of transphobia on Instagram, writing: “Everybody wants to explain everything with some phobia or whatever.
“This is a case of something else she can’t seem to control lol. Ain’t nothing to do with hating.”
Perez Hilton also questioned the decision, tweeting from his personal account: “Very disappointing that Travis Scott edited out Amanda Lepore out of this David LaChapelle photo. Transphobic????”
