There was outrage earlier this week when an ‘unsettling’ article about Brooklyn Beckham was published online, and it seems the writers at this latest publication did not learn a thing from the incident.
Social media has reacted with horror and disgust today after Billboard published a tweet appearing to ‘sexualise’ two-year-old North West.
The tweet contained a shortlink to an article about little North complaining about the paparazzi, but the accompanying photo and lead-in – reading “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…” – has been taken as a rather inappropriate and suggestive reference to mum Kim’s sex tape.
As soon as the tweet was sent out, Billboard was inundated with angry complaints from social media users.
“Delete this immediately. This is a child licking a lollipop and you’re comparing it to the adult consenting sex life of her mum,” wrote one irate user.
Others were just as outraged by the move, with another Twitter user writing: “This tweet/pic is reprehensible. Stop exploiting children for clicks.”
using a toddler, especially a young girl of color, in your creepy clickbait to line your pockets? @billboard unplug your servers forever.
— did a retweet (@meaganewaller) October 30, 2015
North West ain't even 2 yet and the media is already sexualizing her. @billboard whoever wrote this is scum. pic.twitter.com/THG5IG6gDi
— Kiaira (@BlvckConscious) October 30, 2015
.@billboard's tweet about north west is the most disgusting thing. someone needs to get fired.
— carla (@indiosyncratic) October 30, 2015
Billboard proceeded to delete the tweet in question and issue an apology, but its staff insisted that there was nothing suggestive about the post.
We apologize for the tweet involving North West. The caption was about her comments to paparazzi. The suggestion some see was not intended.
— billboard (@billboard) October 30, 2015
“We apologise for the tweet involving North West. The caption was about her comments to paparazzi. The suggestion some see was not intended,” read an official statement from the publication.
