Calvin Klein has apologised after being accused of “queerbaiting” in an advert which depicted heterosexual model Bella Hadid kissing another woman.
The advert shows Hadid with Lil Miquela, a computer-generated 'robotic' model, as part of the brand’s latest “My Calvins” campaign.
The advert was shared on fictional creation Lil Miquela’s twitter, to her 21,000 followers, with the caption: “I am here. That is my truth.”
The advert begins with Hadid standing in a Calvin shirt before the camera pans to include Lil Miquela.I am here. That is my truth. #MYTRUTH #MYCALVINS@bellahadid @CalvinKlein pic.twitter.com/gjMyHHXjHB
Hadid then puts her hand on the robot model’s neck as the pair lock eyes before sharing the intimate moment.
This prompted a backlash due to the depiction of a same sex kiss featuring a model who does not identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
In a statement, Calvin Klein said it welcomed “all types of constructive feedback” and apologised for causing offence.
“We understand and acknowledge how featuring someone who identifies as heterosexual in a same-sex kiss could be perceived as queerbaiting,” the statement said.
“As a company with a longstanding tradition of advocating LGBTQ+ rights, it was certainly not our intention to misrepresent the LGBTQ+ community. We sincerely regret an offence we caused.”
