Todrick defends his friend
Just a month ago, YouTube personality and Broadway star Todrick Hall was making headlines for his YouTube mashup of over 40 iconic 90's hits. Videos of music covers, such as these, is what has contributed to Hall's rise to fame. The choreographer has found himself back in headlines, in recent weeks, for his cameo appearance in pop singer Taylor Swift's controversial music video. However, the public was not impressed.
Swift received numerous backlash, last week, when pictures from Good Morning America surfaced online, promoting the release of the pop singer's highly anticipated video to her single, Look What You Made Me Do. Many took to social media to express their distaste of the video, criticizing the artist for ripping off Beyonce's critically-acclaimed video, Formation.
Hall wound up being guilty by association and landed in some fire of his own. Posts started to appear online claiming that the American Idol-alum was a traitor to both the black and LGBTQ community, and a person seeking “white approval.”
In an exclusive Yahoo interview, Hall sat down to respond to all the criticism, as well as the relationship he shares with Swift. When asked of his initial reaction to the negative feedback, the dancer relays that he was appalled that people thought he signed up for something that copied Beyonce.
“They saw a clip, just a few seconds, that featured Taylor Swift standing in a line of dancers, and they started forming all types of conclusions. I was just very confused by that, because I knew that there was nothing “Formation”-esque or Lemonade-esque about the video,” said Hall. “Artistically, I didn’t feel that was the case. I’m a humongous Beyoncé fan. I’ve worked with Beyoncé. I’ve choreographed for Beyoncé. And I would never intentionally be a part of art that I felt was ripping off my favorite artist of all time.”
Hall goes on to mention that the only reason he signed up for the gig was not for a paycheck, but to be a supportive friend. Regardless of the public's view of Swift, he felt it was only right to do a favor for the person that has gotten him through some rough times.
“What people are mostly forgetting is that Taylor Swift really is my friend … And I call her, and I have cried on her shoulder about my own relationship issues and family issues and career issues,” said Hall. “We are friends, and so when she asked me to do this video, I said absolutely. It wasn’t a question for me. I trust her, and I had no problem doing the video. And I just think that it’s really sad and shocking that me doing four eight-counts of choreography is enough to make people feel the need to question my “blackness” or “wokeness.”
Hall is no stranger to having to address haters. Being down this road before has made him realize he's no longer needing validation to be invited into his respective communities. In fact, he rather just throw a party of self-love at home.
“Apparently there’s a thing called the “cookout,” which is like your invitation to be a part of the black community. Some people have, like, deemed themselves the Woke Police, and they decide to strip you online of your invitation to attend the “cookout.” It boggles my mind that people are deciding whether or not I’m down enough, black enough, or woke enough to be “invited.” If I have to hate people and judge people based on their race, sexual orientation, or religion, then sorry, but I’d rather order pizza.”
Call it an unpopular opinion but I thought the video was well-done. However, that's more nods to the director who has also spoken out on the controversy, believing that the argument of copycat syndrome is completely invalid when comparing the work to Beyonce's. As for Hall, he looks at the experience with no regrets and if he had the chance would werk it all over again.
“I don’t think I’ve sold out my race or my community — the gay community, the black community. I think that I was just in a piece of art that my friend made … If I had a do-over, I would absolutely be there for another eight hours, in heels, dancing with her.”
