Rapper Azealia Banks compares bleaching her skin to ‘getting a nose job’

Azealia forced to defend herself

Published 5th Jul 2016

Rapper Azealia Banks is known for her outspoken and controversial behaviour and now she has defended her decision to bleach her skin, comparing it to getting a nose job.

After choosing to change the colour of her skin recently, Azealia has now taken to Facebook to defend herself and admitted she ‘doesn’t see a difference’ between skin bleaching and cosmetic surgery.

Azealia Banks | © PA Images

The ‘212’ rapper posted a 21 minute Facebook live video to her account where she asked fans “What’s the difference between getting a nose job and changing your skin colour?”.

She then went on to add “Nobody was upset when I was wearing 30-inch weaves and tearing out my edges and doing all that s**t like that. You guys loved it. I don’t think it’s important to discuss the cultural significance of skin bleaching anymore because just as African-American people in the world, or black people, you assimilate.”

This isn’t the first time the 25-year-old has caused a stir. Back in May the rapper was forced to defend herself after launching a racist and homophobic Twitter attack on former One Direction singer, Zayn Malik.

Azealia Banks and Zayn Malik | © PA Images

After being removed from the social media site, Azealia took to Instagram to apologise for her actions, saying “I said what I said to Zayn because I was angry. He felt as if he was too good to acknowledge me yet not good to copy me creative.”

She then continued writing ‘I had to remind him that we’re both in the same boat in this industry and people of colour by reminding him that no matter what you may think of yourself the world still sees you as “other”. As they see me.”

Not everybody was convinced by her apology and she still remains one of the most outspoken celebrities on social media.