Singer Rosalía Responded After A Designer Refused To Dress Her Due To Her "Silence" On Gaza

Spanish pop music superstar Rosalía responded after a designer said he’d refused to work with her over her lack of statement on Palestine.

Person in sleek, form-fitting white gown at a formal event, surrounded by photographers and onlookers

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Last week, designer Miguel Adrover posted a screenshot seemingly between himself and a member of Rosalía’s team, who was asking for a “custom look” for the artist. In the caption, he wrote, “Doing ‘The Right Thing’….Silence is complicity, and even more so when you have a big loudspeaker where millions of people listen to you when you sing. That’s why you have the responsibility to use this power to denounce this genocide. Rosalia, this is nothing personal. I admire you for all your talent and for everything you’ve achieved. And I think you are much more than those artists who only dedicate themselves to show business and entertainment. Now we have to do ‘The Right Thing.'”

Email discussing plans for a custom look for Rosalia, likely needed in September or October, and requesting thoughts on next steps

Yesterday, Rosalía herself responded via a series of Instagram stories, which can be translated to, “In today’s world, we all live in constant contradiction — myself included. And although I personally always try to do ‘the right thing,’ I probably don’t always succeed, but in the process I try to learn and improve.”

Rosalía / Via Instagram: @rosalia.vt

“Unfortunately, this text is not and will not be enough in a context of extreme violence like the one currently happening. That’s why I want to end with deep respect and gratitude for the people who truly take action, like NGOs, activists, volunteers, healthcare workers, laborers, cooperatives, associations, and journalists who are dedicating their lives to helping with this cause and many others,” she continued.

Person in a sheer, form-fitting gown with ruffled details poses on a Vanity Fair event carpet

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Emphasizing her “sadness” over what had been said, she continued, “The fact that I haven’t used my platform in a way that aligns with others’ styles or expectations absolutely does not mean that I don’t condemn what is happening in Palestine. It’s terrible to see, day after day, how innocent people are being murdered and how those who should be stopping it are not doing so.”

Summary of the text: The writer expresses sadness over recent discussions, defends their platform use, supports Palestine, and urges respectful dialogue

“I don’t see how shaming one another is the best way to move forward in the fight for Palestinian freedom. I believe the blame should be directed upwards (toward those who make decisions and have the power to act), not horizontally (among ourselves),” she concluded.

Person posing in an elegant, black textured outfit against a plain backdrop, with long wavy hair framing their face

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The designer isn’t the only one to have drawn a line regarding professional collaborations and comments on Palestine. Children’s YouTuber Ms. Rachel recently wrote on Instagram, “To anyone asking to with work with me who hasn’t spoken out about Gaza: Thank you for the request. I’m not comfortable working with anyone who hasn’t spoken out about Gaza. Much love and God bless, Rachel.”

People in crowded conditions holding pots and bowls, appearing to be in a queue for food distribution

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After Israel cut off aid in March, mass starvation has taken hold in Gaza, with the UN saying that one in three people are now going without food for days at a time. UN Secretary-General António Guterres said, “Palestinians in Gaza are enduring a humanitarian catastrophe of epic proportions. This is not a warning. It is a reality unfolding before our eyes.”

People reaching over a barrier, holding pots and containers. A woman in the center appears distressed, with others around her stretching for aid