Creator Drama
Cultural Appropriation Controversies: From Bakeries to Pop Stars
Ongoing
Photo: Raph_PH (cc by 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 8 events from Nov 30, 2012 to Sep 6, 2026, drawn from 5 sources.
“You don’t get to turn a request for representation into racism simply because you don’t like being questioned,”
via dailyhive.com
Background
Cultural appropriation has long been a contentious topic in pop culture and everyday commerce, arising whenever creators, brands, or celebrities borrow elements from marginalized cultures without proper context, acknowledgment, or respect.
Public debates frequently center on the line between cultural appreciation and exploitation, touching on areas ranging from traditional garments and hairstyles to musical genres and culinary fusion.
The timeline
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Katy Perry AMA Geisha Performance
Katy Perry reportedly faced intense backlash for her performance at the American Music Awards, where she dressed in a kimono-inspired outfit and traditional geisha makeup, with critics accusing her of turning Japanese culture into a costume.[2826]
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Kim Kardashian Launches 'Kimono' Shapewear
Kim Kardashian reportedly faced significant backlash for naming her shapewear line 'Kimono,' drawing accusations of cultural appropriation and disrespecting traditional Japanese garments before eventually rebranding the line as 'SKIMS.'[2826]
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Justin Bieber Dreadlocks Backlash
Justin Bieber reportedly sparked an online firestorm of criticism after posting pictures of himself wearing blonde dreadlocks, with critics arguing he allegedly profited from a hairstyle deeply rooted in Black culture without acknowledging its cultural significance.[2826]
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Rozhdestvensky Posts Video Response
Vinny Rozhdestvensky posted a video response to a local influencer's private criticism over an Edmonton bakery's 'cro-mi' sandwich, alleging the critic attempted to 'cancel' the business and sent trolls, with the video amassing over 3.6 million views.[2825]
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Edmonton Bakery Cro-Mi Dispute Goes Viral
An Edmonton bakery's 'cro-mi' menu item—combining a croissant with bánh mì fillings—reportedly sparked a wider online debate over cultural appropriation, representation, and creator selection after an influencer's private messages were reportedly posted publicly.[2825]
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Kiss of Life Birthday Stream Backlash
K-pop group Kiss of Life faced criticism for allegedly mimicking Black culture during a birthday celebration stream themed "old school hip-hop vibes."[3466]
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Lisa's 'SaWaDiKa' Release and Design Allegation
Syrian artist Zeina Issa alleged that a headphone accessory in Lisa's "SaWaDiKa" music video was an "exact replica" of her own design.[3467]
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TUIDE and Baby DONT Cry Inkigayo Outfits Controversy
Members of TUIDE and Baby DONT Cry faced accusations of cultural appropriation for wearing outfits that allegedly imitated Native American traditional clothing on SBS's Inkigayo.[3468]
Frequently asked
What started the Edmonton bakery controversy?
An Edmonton influencer contacted the Better Baker privately to criticize their new 'cro-mi' sandwich—a bánh mì-inspired croissant—raising concerns about accurate representation and why a non-Vietnamese creator was chosen to promote it.
How did the Better Baker respond to the criticism?
Owner Vinny Rozhdestvensky stated that creators are chosen based on personal relationships rather than race or ethnicity, and later posted a viral video alleging that the disagreement was an attempt to cancel the business.
Which celebrities have faced cultural appropriation accusations?
Celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Madonna, and Bruno Mars have all faced public scrutiny and debates regarding cultural appropriation over fashion choices, hairstyles, and artistic aesthetics.
More related drama (4)
Sources (5)
- dailyhive.com, An Edmonton baker has gone viral after a disagreement over a bánh mì-inspired croissant sparked an online debate over cultural appropriation and representation. The Better Baker, located in Old Strath, Aug 29, 2026.
- thetrue100.com, 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 a, Aug 29, 2026.
- koreajoongangdaily.com, Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI K-pop girl group Kiss of Life faced backlash after a birthday celebration stream themed ″old school hip-hop vibes″ on April 2. SCREEN CAPTURE K-pop is on, Apr 8, 2025.
- ibtimes.co.uk, BLACKPINK star Lisa's new solo track SaWaDiKa has been drawn into a design row after Syrian artist and designer Zeina Issa claimed a coin‑covered headphone accessory in the music video closely resembl, Sep 6, 2026.
- koreaboo.com, Some fans are accusing HYBE of setting their idols up. Koreaboo 2 days ago Three fifth-generation girl group idols are facing major backlash for their outfits on SBS’s Inkigayo this week. | SBS TUIDE’, Sep 6, 2026.
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 8 dated events from 5 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Cultural Appropriation Controversies: From Bakeries to Pop Stars.”
GenZHype, 8 September 2026,
https://genzhype.com/drama/cultural-appropriation-controversies-from-bakeries-to-pop-stars/.