Kamala Harris faces harsh criticism for her cameo at the BET Awards, with some calling it “toenail curling level of cringe.” Critics argue that her appearance was awkward and unappealing to viewers.
Vice President Kamala Harris faced intense criticism and mockery from conservatives and critics for her pre-recorded cameo appearance at the Black Entertainment Television (BET) Awards. Her attempt to connect with the audience by using a reference to a recent rap song by Kendrick Lamar was perceived as “pandering” and “cringe-worthy”.
The skit, aimed at encouraging voter registration and highlighting issues like reproductive rights and freedom, was met with negative reviews on social media, with some calling it “toenail curling level of cringe”. Harris’s use of the phrase “out here in these streets” and her reference to Lamar’s song “Not Like Us” were particularly mocked.
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, took to social media platform X to express his disapproval, stating, “Toenail curling level of cringe.” Citizen Free Press posted, “Kamala panders at BET awards and the reviews are not positive. Black Americans are embarrassed by Kamala.”
Not the Bee, a unit of Babylon Bee, added, “Kamala popped into the BET Awards to prove she has rizz but ended up reaching NEW LEVELS OF CRINGE.”
Many others joined in, mocking the skit and Harris’s attempt to be relatable. The backlash suggests that her attempt to connect with a younger audience and show her relatability may have missed the mark.
“They out here trying to take away Pride, Plan B and Planned Parenthood, but protecting pistols. If you ask me, they pushing the wrong Ps,” Henson said.
The skit, which aired during the BET Awards on Sunday night, featured Harris in a pre-recorded video call with host Taraji P. Henson. Henson expressed concern about the upcoming presidential election and the issues at stake, including women’s reproductive rights and the Supreme Court. Harris responded by referencing Lamar’s song, saying, “Yeah girl, I’m out here in these streets. And let me tell you, you’re right, Taraji. There is so much at stake in this moment.”
Harris continued, “The majority of us believe in freedom and equality. But these extremists, as they say, they not like us.” She then emphasized the importance of voting, urging viewers to register and head to the ballot box on November 5.
While Harris’s message was aimed at encouraging voter registration and highlighting important issues, her delivery and attempt to use slang and references to rap music fell flat with many viewers. The backlash highlights the challenges politicians face when trying to connect with younger audiences and the importance of authenticity in political messaging.
The incident also sparked a wider conversation about political pandering and the use of cultural references in political messaging. Some argued that Harris’s attempt to use rap music and slang was disingenuous and insincere, while others saw it as a genuine attempt to connect with a younger audience.
Regardless, the backlash against Harris’s BET Awards appearance serves as a reminder of the importance of authenticity and relatability in political messaging. As politicians continue to navigate the complex landscape of social media and cultural references, they must be mindful of the fine line between genuine connection and pandering.
