Calvin Klein has apologised for queerbaiting in latest campaign

The brand's latest campaign video featured Bella Hadid kissing CGI influencer Miquela.

Calvin Klein

The new Calvin Klein commercial has copped some flack. Source: Calvin Klein

Calvin Klein is facing criticism from members of the LGBTIQ+ community, following accusations the brand 'queer-baited' audiences with one of their Pride campaign videos.

The video in question features straight model Bella Hadid kissing a CGI robot influencer, Lil Miquela. It's part of the brand's 'I speak my truth in my Calvins' campaign, which also features queer celebrities Indya Moore and Troye Sivan.

Safe to say, social media users were... confused by the concept. So much so that the underwear company soon released a public apology.
“We understand and acknowledge how featuring someone who identifies as heterosexual in a same-sex kiss could be perceived as queerbaiting," the brand wrote in a statement.

It continued: "As a company with a longstanding tradition of advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, it was certainly not our intention to misrepresent the LGBTQ+ community. We sincerely regret any offense we caused."

You can watch the campaign video below:

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Published 22 May 2019 3:09pm
By Samuel Leighton-Dore


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