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'Focus on what's important': 17-year-old rapper hits back after being accused of blackfishing

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The rapper known as Bhad Bhabie is hitting back after being accused of purposely darkening her skin.

Earlier this week Danielle Bregoli, who rose to internet fame as the “Cash Me Outside” girl from “Dr. Phil,” shared multiple videos of herself to social media sporting a noticeably darker skin tone.

The 17-year-old “Gucci Flip Flops” rapper immediately drew criticism from her more than 17.8 million followers, who accused the star of “blackfishing,” a term used when a person purposely alters their appearance to look as though they were black.

“OK, I think we can all agree she’s trying too hard to be a part of a culture she’s not,” one person commented on Bergoli’s video, while another told “bhlack bhabie” to “act her race.”

“This has to be blackfishing,” one fan wrote, while another asked “Why are you trying to look like Cardi B?”

In an article for Girls United by Essence, Brooklyn White called the act of blackfishing “racism at its core” and criticized people, like Bregoli, who adopt elements of black culture and black style for profit.

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“It’s painful to watch someone cash in on your actual lifestyle and look, especially when you’re still vilified for being your authentic self,” White wrote. “How long will we crucify Black girls for being Black girls, while uplifting white women for jocking our essence?”

Danielle Bregoli, also known as Bhad Bhabie, and her natural skin tone at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.
Danielle Bregoli, also known as Bhad Bhabie, and her natural skin tone at the 2018 Billboard Music Awards.

The controversy surrounding her latest look prompted a reaction from Bregoli, blasting her critics for picking her apart instead of focusing on COVID-19.

"Millions of people sick, thousands dying every day and y'all worried about me getting my makeup done for a photoshoot? I'm usually the wild one but y'all need to chill and focus on what's important right now," Bregoli said.

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Several of Bregoli’s fans defended her new look, dismissing claims she was blackfishing.

“Some you never heard of makeup, filters and lighting or have seen her with makeup before and it really shows,” one supporter wrote.

“Guess what? Italians get tanned!” another argued. “Guess what? A full face of makeup makes you look darker. Get over yourselves.”


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