Bublé defends online woman pic after social media backlash
Singer Michael Bublé has defended a picture he put online of a woman accompanied by the hashtag #beautifulbum, which drew fierce criticism, as “complimentary and lighthearted”.
The Canadian posted the picture, taken by his wife and showing a woman wearing tight shorts, telling fans: “There was something about this photo lu took, that seemed worthy of instagram.”
Following a backlash in which his actions were labelled “disgusting”, he posted a statement saying he was hurt that people thought he was being disrespectful or insulting.
Bublé, who is married to underwear model Luisana Lopilato, wrote: “Anybody who knows me would never misinterpret the message of the photo my wife took in Miami that seems to have caused unexpected rage by some people.
“I do not court controversy. But I realise that a photo that was meant to be complimentary and lighthearted has turned into a questionable issue.
“For the record, It hurts me deeply that anyone would think that I would disrespect women or be insulting to any human being.
“I was not brought up that way and it is not in my character. I regret that there are people out there who found the photo offensive. That was not and is not my intention.
“Women are to be celebrated, loved, respected, honoured and revered. I’ve spent my life believing that and will continue to do so.”
Under his initial post one Twitter user, Pedro Jonnez, said: “yep. let’s humiliate a stranger. Stay Classy, Bublé”, while another called Samantha asked him: “Did you ask her permission to post that? Would you say what you hashtagged to her face?”
Another, tweeting as 1tiredmama, said: “I used to like you but I don’t anymore. Lost all respect. #disgusting”.
However not everyone was offended by the image. Among those to respond positively, one user wrote: “Thanks for giving me a laugh today.”
Bublé, who did not remove the picture, has won a string of Grammy awards and had Top 10 UK hits including Haven’t Met You Yet and It’s A Beautiful Day.
