Creator Drama
Cultural Appropriation Controversies: From Bakery Debates 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 9 events from Nov 30, 2012 to Sep 6, 2026, drawn from 7 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 remains a contentious issue in pop culture and local commerce alike, surfacing whenever public figures or businesses borrow elements from marginalized cultures without proper context or acknowledgment.
Over the years, high-profile celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus have faced intense public scrutiny for adopting hairstyles, fashion, and artistic aesthetics rooted in Black, Asian, and indigenous traditions.
The timeline
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Katy Perry's AMA Performance
Katy Perry reportedly faced significant backlash for her performance at the American Music Awards, where she dressed as a geisha in a kimono-inspired outfit and traditional makeup, which critics labeled cultural appropriation.[2811]
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Kim Kardashian's 'Kimono' Shapewear
Kim Kardashian reportedly faced severe backlash for naming her shapewear line 'Kimono,' which allegedly prompted criticism from the mayor of Kyoto and online critics before she ultimately rebranded the line as SKIMS.[2811]
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Justin Bieber's Dreadlocks Controversy
Justin Bieber reportedly sparked an online firestorm of criticism after posting pictures of his blonde dreadlocks on social media, which allegedly reignited debates about privilege and the exploitation of Black hairstyles.[2814]
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Better Baker Owner Responds to Backlash
Vinny Rozhdestvensky posted a video response viewed over 3.6 million times, addressing an influencer's private criticism over an Edmonton bakery's bánh mì-inspired croissant and allegations of racism.[2810]
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Edmonton Bakery Fusion Menu Sparks Debate
An Edmonton bakery's new 'cro-mi' menu item reportedly sparked an online debate regarding cultural appropriation, representation, and the choice of creators used for promotional content.[2810]
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Blackpink's Lisa Faces Design Accusations
According to Ground News, Blackpink's Lisa released a music video titled 'SaWaDika' that sparked controversy after a Syrian artist accused her of copying an original design [1].[3457]
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Kiss of Life Birthday Stream Controversy
According to the Korea JoongAng Daily, K-pop girl group Kiss of Life faced backlash after a birthday celebration stream themed around 'old school hip-hop vibes' where members donned hairstyles and outfits heavily associated with Black culture [2].[3458]
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TUIDE Members Face Backlash Over Inkigayo Outfits
According to Shining Awards, TUIDE members Seoyeon and Jia faced backlash after wearing earth-toned outfits with fringe detailing and geometric patterns that viewers said resembled Native American traditional clothing while guest hosting Inkigayo [3].[3459]
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Blackpink's Lisa Debated Over Skin Tone
According to Indiatimes, Lisa of BLACKPINK faced backlash and online debate after fans and critics compared the noticeably different skin tones between her 'Rockstar' and 'Born Again' music videos [4].[3460]
Frequently asked
What started the Edmonton bakery cultural appropriation controversy?
An Edmonton bakery introduced a 'cro-mi' menu item combining a croissant with bánh mì fillings, leading an influencer to privately question the naming, cultural accuracy, and the choice of a non-Vietnamese creator for promotion.
Which celebrities have faced cultural appropriation accusations?
Celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Madonna, and Bruno Mars have all faced various accusations of cultural appropriation throughout their careers.
More related drama (4)
Sources (7)
- 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.
- pfadvice.com, 123RFCultural appropriation is a contentious issue that often sparks heated debates. When celebrities borrow elements from other cultures without understanding their significance or context, it can le, Aug 29, 2026.
- ground.news, Published 4 days ago • loading... • Updated 2 days agoBlackpink's Lisa recently released a music video, 'SaWaDika', which sparked controversy after a Syrian artist accused her of copying the artist's , Sep 4, 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.
- shiningawards.com, TUIDE is facing backlash after members Seoyeon and Jia wore outfits that resembled Native American traditional clothing while guest hosting Inkigayo on SBS.Seoyeon and Jia joined Baby DONT Cry’s Yihyu, Sep 6, 2026.
- indiatimes.com, Lisa of BLACKPINK is facing backlash for sporting two different skin tones in her new songs, Rockstar and Born Again. Many believe that since Rockstar has a hip-hop vibe, the singer went for a 'Black', Feb 9, 2025.
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 9 dated events from 7 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Cultural Appropriation Controversies: From Bakery Debates to Pop Stars.”
GenZHype, 8 September 2026,
https://genzhype.com/drama/cultural-appropriation-controversies-from-bakery-debates-to-pop-stars/.