It is quite common for Asian celebrities and people of color to face racial discrimination at high-profile foreign events. First, it was Yoona facing racial discrimination at Cannes 2024, and now it’s ATEEZ’s Choi San.
The recent Alta Moda show in Italy, hosted by luxury brand Dolce & Gabbana, was supposed to be a glamorous celebration of high-end fashion. However, fans of San noticed racial discrimination and unfair treatment directed at him during a recent fashion show in Italy.
On July 2, the ATEEZ member attended Dolce & Gabbana’s Alta Moda women’s couture show in Nora, Sardinia, Italy. While photos surfaced of San sitting alongside international celebrities, a controversial image shows him sitting uncomfortably, without a cushion, while others around him enjoy comfortable seating.
Moreover, some online haters went after San’s outfit on the first day, claiming it was an odd choice. Yet, some argued that the attire was from Dolce & Gabbana’s luxury collection, worn by Western models at last year’s Alta Moda event, deeming the criticism as too much.
Also, some online users noted that San was seated in the right spot on the second day, suggesting that the cushion controversy from the day before was due to poor on-site management, not racial discrimination.
After that, Dolce & Gabbana’s past incidents of racism towards Asians have come up again. Back in 2018, the brand received criticism for a disrespectful ad featuring an Asian model in a stereotypical and demeaning way, eating Italian food with chopsticks.
As a result of the backlash, a fashion show in Shanghai was called off, as Chinese celebrities and others declined to take part.