In a recent in-depth interview with Vanity Fair, Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican sensation, opened up about a wide array of topics, shedding light on his personal life, upbringing in Puerto Rico, spirituality, Latin identity, his burgeoning acting career, and more. Among the intriguing facets of the conversation, his views on gender and clothing garnered significant attention.
Addressing the elephant in the room, Vanity Fair broached the subject of accusations of “queerbaiting” leveled against Bad Bunny, primarily due to his penchant for donning skirts, jewelry, and other traditionally feminine attire. The artist, known for moments like kissing a male backup dancer, expressing solidarity with murdered trans women, and appearing in drag within his music videos, was keen to respond.
Bad Bunny expressed his frustration at the barrage of negative, sexist, and homophobic comments he receives, despite not identifying as homosexual. He remarked, “Maybe the queer person suffers more, but it is not like I put on a skirt and go out and they say ‘Look, how cool.’ They’re going to attack me with all their force anyway.” He went on to stress the importance of not presuming to understand a person’s motives for their choice of attire, emphasizing that clothing is a deeply personal form of self-expression.
In essence, Bad Bunny’s stance is clear: he simply desires the freedom to wear what he feels comfortable in, echoing the sentiment that this choice should be extended to everyone. As he succinctly put it, “You do it because you want to and it makes you feel good and it makes you feel happy.”
This autumn, fans can look forward to Bad Bunny’s appearance alongside Gael García Bernal in the biographical film “Cassandro,” which tells the story of a gay Mexican luchador. In the film, Bernal portrays Saúl Armendáriz, adopting the persona of “Cassandro” and captivating audiences as the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” Bad Bunny plays a significant love interest in this compelling narrative, further cementing his presence as a multifaceted artist unafraid to challenge societal norms.
By openly discussing queerbaiting allegations and advocating for the right to self-expression, Bad Bunny continues to use his platform to promote inclusivity and understanding within the LGBTQ community and beyond.