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Showbiz
Joshua Zitser
Nov 17, 2020
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Last week, Harry Styles made history as the first ever male cover star of US Vogue.
The pop star, who has famously rejected labels and shunned traditional gender norms, further broke convention by wearing a dress.
While most people celebrated this playful and historic move, some conservative commentators were furious.
Candace Owens, a prominent Trump supporter, was particularly enraged.
She trashed Styles for his nod to femininity.
In a tweet, she wrote: "There is no society that can survive without strong men."
There is no society that can survive without strong men. The East knows this. In the west, the steady feminization… https://t.co/0ArvBaazmr— Candace Owens (@Candace Owens) 1605381388
She continued: "There is no society that can survive without strong men. The East knows this. In the west, the steady feminization of our men at the same time that Marxism is being taught to our children is not a coincidence."
Rather dramatically, she concluded: "It is an outright attack."
Owens later wrote:
Wait until they find out that I also think women should be feminine— and I enjoy cooking for and taking care of my… https://t.co/OWjzLEthAr— Candace Owens (@Candace Owens) 1605546588
Another conservative commentator joined her in criticising Styles.
Right-wing talking head Ben Shapiro accused Styles of "feminising masculinity" and called Styles's choice to wear a dress a "referendum" on masculinity.
This is perfectly obvious. Anyone who pretends that it is not a referendum on masculinity for men to don floofy dre… https://t.co/xo2GqTIztv— Ben Shapiro (@Ben Shapiro) 1605536516
Pretending that men dressing like women does not feminize men is ridiculous, particularly coming from the same peop… https://t.co/CQRePOuWkE— Ben Shapiro (@Ben Shapiro) 1605536696
So dramatic!
Harry Styles looking fierce in a dress seems like an odd choice for a culture war but Owens and Shapiro remained committed to it.
In response, they were both challenged on their outdated views.
@RealCandaceO This is so offensive on so many levels— Marisa (@Marisa) 1605547203
The true test for assured masculinity— not giving a single shit about “defining” masculinity. Same for femininity.… https://t.co/nginnfIRPg— W. Earl Brown (@W. Earl Brown) 1605562755
@RealCandaceO You’re pathetic.— olivia wilde (@olivia wilde) 1605496420
People like Candace Owens are the reason why toxic masculinity exists. The term “manly man” should be rid of for th… https://t.co/rwMet8VRkY— j a s o n (@j a s o n) 1605547382
Our whole lives boys and men are told we need to be manly. Life is short. Be whatever the fuck you want to be. https://t.co/oY6ji3tpaI— Zach Braff (@Zach Braff) 1605554338
Harry Styles is plenty manly, because manly is whatever you want it to be, not what some insecure, toxic, woman-hat… https://t.co/9HTbEre6Eo— Jameela Jamil 🌈 (@Jameela Jamil 🌈) 1605538908
People also shared a photo of Owens wearing a suit to point out her hypocrisy.
Despite the backlash, Owens has not apologised for what she said.
In fact, she said: "Sorry I'm not sorry."
Since I’m trending I’d like to clarify what I meant when I said “bring back manly men”. I meant: Bring back manly… https://t.co/O86iAF02Qq— Candace Owens (@Candace Owens) 1605537967
Styles hasn't responded to the drama.
But, why would he?
We assume he's got far better things to do with his time than responding to trolls.