Sia To Donate Proceeds From Eminem Collaboration To Homeless LGBT Youth
Quote:
Queer artist Sia came under fire this week for her collaborative track with Eminem, "Beautiful Pain," which is featured on the controversial rapper's latest album, "The Marshall Mathers LP 2."
In response, the singer-songwriter has announced that she will donate the proceeds she receives from her work on the track to benefit homeless LGBT youth at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center.
Sia told HuffPost blogger and N.Y. based D.J. Keo Nozari that "she was under the impression that Eminem’s alter-ego Slim Shady was performance art, and a thing of the past, asserting that she does not believe that Eminem is actually homophobic."
According to SheWired, the star's contribution will reportedly help fund "a 50-bed shelter, a transitional living program, medical care, meals, clothing, counseling, GED prep programs, job placement services and more", according to the release from the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.
Eminem has been on the receiving end of harsh criticism for his use of the word "faggot" on the album, and his attempts to defend his use of the gay slur as "more like calling someone a 'bitch' or a 'punk' or 'a**hole.'"
Some individuals have even suggested that the rap superstar witness the reality of queer experience firsthand by being put on a suicide hotline for LGBT youth.
That's very commendable of her, and I applaud her...but I do think it would have been better if she just turned him down in the first place. To record the duet and then announce this donation only after a media backlash seems a bit...off. :Michael:
I applaud Sia, golden heart I still love Eminem even though I'm still not sur whether he is homophobic or not, although I'm in to think that as a real person, in real life he's kinder than u would expect someone with his persona to be. #EmDontFailMe