Noah Cyrus, the younger sister of singer Miley Cyrus, apologized for using a racially insensitive term when defending Harry Styles. The former One Direction singer caused a stir with his Vogue magazine cover, in which he wore a dress. Conservative commentator Candace Owens was among those who criticized the cover, calling for the return of “manly men.”
Cyrus, 20, rushed to defend Styles on social media. She shared a photo of the singer, adding, “He wears this dress better than any of u nappy aโ heauxz.” Cyrus then became the subject of backlash herself, as “nappy” is a racially insensitive term to describe Black hair texture, with roots dating back to the 17th Century, when slaves first arrived in the Americas, notes NPR.
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On Thursday, Cyrus turned to her Instagram Story, where she published a brief apology, claiming she did not understand the term’s meaning. “I am mortified that I used a term without knowing the context and history, but I know now and I am horrified and truly sorry,” she wrote. “I will never use it again. Thank you for educating me. I in no way meant to offend anyone. I am so sorry.”
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Omg guys she apologized look i guess we can forgive her. Right !? ๐ #noahcyrus pic.twitter.com/eEHs3mssfX
โ Minajesty ๐ฆ (@yassinechit) December 3, 2020
Owens was among those who caught Cyrus’ offensive comment and slammed her for it on Twitter. “Any one of woke liberals care to explain to me how [Cyrus] calling me a ‘nappy ass hoe’ is not racist? I’m all ears,” she wrote. “You guys love cancel culture. [Miley Cyrus] come get your sister!”
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Noah cyrus said she thought nappy meant tired you yt ppl need to stop using words you hear black ppl say……. yโall donโt even be knowing the meaning yโall be saying it just to look cool itโs aggy
โ Precious Thee Angel (@preciousbeyond) December 3, 2020
Last month, Styles became the first man to appear on Vogue‘s cover solo and wore a white dress under a black jacket for the picture. “Bring back manly men,” Owens wrote in response to the cover, inspiring celebrities to defend Styles. The “Watermelon Sugar” singer then turned the tables on her when he posed a photo of himself while eating a banana during a photoshoot for Variety. “Bring back manly men,” Styles wrote in the caption.
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she ainโt even have to say allat #NoahCyrus pic.twitter.com/qTQPRsFudc
โ arrie (@playgirlarrie) December 3, 2020
“To not wear [something] because it’s females’ clothing, you shut out a whole world of great clothes,” Styles explained to Variety. “And I think what’s exciting about right now is you can wear what you like. It doesn’t have to be X or Y. Those lines are becoming more and more blurred.”
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Just read #NoahCyrus apology. Girl bye! pic.twitter.com/2RaW1zYgec
โ Des Valentine ๐ฎ (@DesGameplay) December 3, 2020
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#NoahCyrus from TN and didnโt know nappy was a racist term? pic.twitter.com/ts1nCDRsqY
โ Black Sand (@DianeEv62398271) December 3, 2020
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why does noah cyrus even have nappy in her vocabulary…. pic.twitter.com/WBgf3lHtSS
โ jiji (@chuuflrts) December 3, 2020