In a recent social media uproar, conservative commentator Megyn Kelly shared her unfiltered opinions on Beyoncé’s latest collaboration with Levi’s Jeans. The ad, which features Beyoncé in a striking mini film titled The Denim Cowboy, has sparked a wave of reactions from both fans and critics alike.
Released on August 4, the short film highlights Beyoncé traversing the Deep South on a motorcycle, showcasing standout pieces from her denim collection. However, Kelly, 54, took to X on August 5 to express her disapproval, labeling the look as overly “artificial.”
Comparing it to another denim brand campaign, Kelly drew parallels to an American Eagle ad featuring Euphoria‘s Sydney Sweeney. This campaign, launched in late July, faced its own controversies over alleged eugenic and supremacist undertones, as detailed by The Hill reported. Yet, Kelly seemed unperturbed by these issues, reserving her critique for Beyoncé’s work alone.
“This is the opposite of the Sydney Sweeney ad. Quite clearly, there is nothing natural about Beyoncé,” Kelly remarked, adding that everything related to the megastar “is bought and paid for” and describes her appearance as “artificial, fake, enhanced, trying too hard.”
The comments from Kelly did not sit well with Beyoncé’s dedicated fanbase, the BeyHive. Several fans responded passionately, one stating, “Megyn, the irony of calling Beyoncé ‘artificial’ while building your entire career on curated outrage, blond ambition, and political pandering is astounding.” The fan further noted Beyoncé’s unmatched talent and cultural impact, emphasizing her earned success rather than purchased fame.
Another fan highlighted the wealth gap, commenting, “Per celebrity net worth: Megyn Kelly $45m, Sydney Sweeney $40m, Beyoncé $700m. Envy is a bad look. So is skin colour racism.”
Beyoncé’s Country Album and Kelly’s Critique
Kelly’s critique of Beyoncé isn’t new. Previously, she voiced her opinions on Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning country album, Cowboy Carter. During an episode of The Megyn Kelly Show, she mentioned a video clip from Beyoncé’s tour, stating, “Beyoncé, who’s on some world tour right now, reinventing herself as a country star, is running videotape during the show of yours truly.”
Kelly criticized the marketing surrounding Beyoncé’s country music debut, suggesting it was being heralded as a monumental event. “She and her marketing people were treating that entry [into country music] like the second coming, like it’s Jesus incarnate,” Kelly added.
With the ongoing discussions around these campaigns, many are left wondering about the motivations behind Kelly’s critiques and the broader implications for conversations about authenticity and representation in media.
