Chanel Sort Of Apologized For Racially Profiling Gabourey Sidibe
Phenomenal woman, Gabourey Sidibe, was just trying to buy some glasses at the Chanel store in Chicago. She’s a movie/television star – it’s not like she couldn’t afford to shop there, but nonetheless, Chanel should be happy anyone wants to walk their ass into their janky hut. They haven’t been relevant since Jackie O. (I kid, how would I know? This shirt I’m wearing is probably from Savers.) Gabby says that the counter bitch pulled a Michael K’s favorite scene from Pretty Woman on her.
In an essay in less-phenomenal-but-still-a-woman Lena Dunham’s Lenny Letter, Chanel issued an apology, but it sounded like sarcasm. It sounds like it was written by some sneering, yet fashionable stick figure, while someone else in the office suggested Gabby call a WAH-mbulance and everyone laughed like evil hyenas.
Page Six reports that when Gabby inquired about glasses, the sales creature told her that they didn’t carry optical specs and referred her to the discount store across the street. Gabby was on to her racist bullshit. (Chanel actually put one of their uppity stores near a discount store? Coco is rolling her grave.)
“I’d love to pretend she was being polite, and I’m sure she would love to pretend she was polite, but she was actually condescending. … I knew what she was doing. She had decided after a single look at me that I wasn’t there to spend any money.”
Instead of wasting her time arguing with snotty bigots, Gabby went to her laptop and wrote an essay. Apparently, this happens to her a lot and she’s never sure whether it’s because she’s black or because she’s Rubenesque. Try adding “gay” to that mix, baby! Go for the three-fer and twirl even faster on all of your haters!
Sidibe says her weight has played a part in people profiling her, too. “I suspect it’s because I’m black, but it could also be because I’m fat. Maybe my whole life, every time I thought someone was being racist, they were actually mistreating me because I’m fat. That sucks too. That’s not OK.”
Agreed. Well, someone at Chanel can endure Lena Dunham long enough to read Lenny. And because brands will only consent to care when celebrities (or people with enough followers on social media) have an issue with their behavior, they issued an apology. But, as I said up top, it sounds like it was written in the font called “Sarcastic Smirk.”
Following the publication of Sidibe’s essay, Chanel issued an apology, saying, “We are sorry that she felt unwelcome and offended. We took her words very seriously and immediately investigated to understand what happened, knowing that this is absolutely not in line with the high standards that Chanel wishes to provide to our customers.”
I’m not seeing any sort of mention of a Chanel suit proudly made in her size being sent to Gabby, or even a bottle of Chanel No. 5. This apology is totally written by Saleswoman #2 from Pretty Woman, pre-Julia Roberts getting My Fair Lady-ed, until Gabby gets some free shit.
Pic: WENN