In pop culture, influence travels fast — but sometimes, inspiration crosses into controversy. Over the years, several celebrities have been accused of cultural appropriation, sparking heated debates about where to draw the line between appreciation and exploitation. From fashion choices to music videos, these moments reveal how powerful — and complicated — cultural exchange can be in the public eye.
Below are ten celebrities who have faced accusations of cultural appropriation and the conversations that followed.
1. Kim Kardashian
The Issue: In June 2019, Kim Kardashian faced backlash for naming her shapewear line “Kimono,” a play on her name and the traditional Japanese garment. Critics accused her of cultural appropriation and disrespecting the garment’s cultural significance, with even the mayor of Kyoto requesting a name change. Kardashian later rebranded the line as “SKIMS,” a move widely seen as a response to the controversy.
In recent years, Kardashian has faced criticism for wearing cornrows, something she once called “Bo Derek braids,” a hairstyle with deep roots in Black culture and history. Critics accused her of cultural appropriation, arguing that adopting the style for fashion without acknowledging its significance disrespects its cultural heritage. The controversy sparked broader conversations about celebrity influence, privilege, and the line between admiration and exploitation in pop culture.
2. Katy Perry
The Issue: Katy Perry faced backlash for her 2013 AMA performance, where she dressed as a geisha, wearing a kimono-inspired outfit and traditional makeup. Critics called it cultural appropriation, arguing she turned Japanese culture into a costume. Perry later apologized, saying she hadn’t intended to offend and has since aimed for more cultural mindfulness in her work.
3. Justin Bieber
The Issue: Justin Bieber has been criticized for wearing dreadlocks and cornrows, hairstyles with deep roots in Black culture. Critics argued he was profiting from styles without acknowledging their cultural significance, sparking debates about privilege, appropriation, and celebrity influence in fashion and pop culture.
4. Miley Cyrus
The Issue: During her Bangerz era, Miley adopted hip-hop aesthetics and incorporated twerking into her performances. Many accused her of using Black culture as a prop, only to abandon it once it no longer suited her image. The controversy remains a major discussion point in her career evolution. Below is a TikToker giving a breakdown.
@name3songs Reply to @sjrubyred we touch on this in the podcast but a video felt necessary. We hear you & we see you. #mileycyrus #miley #culturalappropriation ♬ original sound – Name 3 Songs
Since then, Miley has grown and matured, but she maintains that she was never engaging in cultural appropriation. In an interview, she explained that her choices were meant as cultural appreciation rather than appropriation.
5. Madonna
The Issue: Throughout her career, Madonna has borrowed from various cultures, from ballroom culture in Vogue to Hindu-inspired visuals in Frozen. Some hail her as an innovator, while others argue she used sacred or marginalized cultural elements for aesthetic effect without proper context. Take a look at the TikTok user below giving a timelined breakdown.
@recycldstardust Replying to @Kikicke 🏳️🌈 I honestly never realized how much she took from other cultures. I was listening to Madonna when I was much younger and before a lot of these issues were at the forefront so I kind of looked past them and then once you brought it up and I looked into it I was like- this is so much deeper than I thought. Madonna has used various cultures religion and even the LGBTQ+++ to profit off of. I’m not really sure what is she’s doing now but it feels wrong but she’s definitely up there with the others like Lana Del Rey, Gwen Stefani, and Cher #nativetiktok #nativeamerican #nativefamily ♬ Cute piano BGM ③/10 minutes(1451559) – nightbird_bgm
6. Gwen Stefani
The Issue: Stefani’s Harajuku phase and frequent use of bindis, braids, and other cultural elements have drawn criticism. Many said she commodified Japanese and South Asian identity as fashion statements. Stefani insists her intentions were rooted in cultural love, not exploitation.
7. Iggy Azalea
The Issue: Iggy Azalea has been criticized for adopting a Southern U.S. hip-hop persona despite being Australian. Critics argued she borrowed Black culture and speech for commercial gain without experiencing the struggles tied to it, sparking debates about authenticity, privilege, and appropriation in music. Iggy addressed the controversy in an August 2024 interview, acknowledging that some of her words and portrayals could be seen as offensive.
8. Adele
The Issue: In 2020, Adele faced backlash for wearing Bantu knots and a Jamaican flag bikini at London’s Notting Hill Carnival. Critics said her look trivialized Black and Caribbean cultural symbols, sparking debates about cultural appropriation versus celebration. Supporters argued she was honoring the culture, but the moment ignited broader conversations about respect and sensitivity in pop culture.
9. Ariana Grande
The Issue: Ariana Grande has been accused of Blackfishing—altering her appearance and voice to adopt features and styles associated with Black culture. Critics argue she profits from Black aesthetics in her music and branding without experiencing the discrimination that comes with them, sparking debates about cultural appropriation, privilege, and authenticity in pop culture. Take a look at the breakdown below on her alleged history of Blackfishing and her evolution into “Wicked”-era Ariana.
10. Selena Gomez
The Issue: In 2013, Selena Gomez faced criticism for wearing a bindi during her performance of Come & Get It. Critics said she was trivializing a sacred Hindu symbol by using it as a fashion accessory, sparking debates about cultural appropriation and sensitivity in pop music.
The Bigger Conversation
Each of these controversies reveals how easily cultural appreciation can blur into appropriation — especially in a global media landscape where influence spreads instantly. As artists continue to draw inspiration from diverse traditions, the challenge lies in doing so with respect, context, and genuine understanding.
Ultimately, the ongoing debate around cultural appropriation isn’t just about fashion or music — it’s about power, privilege, and representation. And as pop culture evolves, so too does the responsibility of those who shape it.
