British media figure Piers Morgan Expresses ‘Disappointment’ Over Beyoncé’s Alleged ‘Cultural Appropriation’ of Marilyn Monroe in Levi’s Advertisement, igniting backlash and debate across social media.
It all began on Wednesday, August 6, when Morgan posted a photo of Beyoncé to X (formerly Twitter), showing the global superstar wearing Levi’s denim with voluminous blonde curls — a look reminiscent of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. “Very disappointed to see Beyoncé culturally appropriate Marilyn Monroe in her new Levi’s ad,” Morgan wrote.
The post quickly drew intense criticism. Many users jumped to Beyoncé’s defense, pointing out that cultural appropriation refers to the misappropriation of a culture, not an individual. Several labeled Morgan’s remark as both misguided and attention-seeking. But the former Good Morning Britain host wasn’t done.
Doubling down, Morgan responded to the uproar by sharing an old photo of himself with Beyoncé, adding, “I would say I can’t believe anyone took my obvious Beyoncé joke post seriously … but I forgot the woke brigade have zero sense of humour.”
When a commenter argued that Beyoncé is “hotter” than Marilyn Monroe ever was, Morgan surprisingly agreed: “I don’t disagree.”
Despite the backlash, Piers Morgan Expresses ‘Disappointment’ Over Beyoncé’s Alleged ‘Cultural Appropriation’ of Marilyn Monroe in Levi’s Advertisement continued to trend as more weighed in. Dionne Warwick chimed in, accusing Morgan of “getting involved in women’s business again.” His reply? “Oh not you too, Dionne… it was a JOKE!”
While Morgan insisted his initial post was tongue-in-cheek, he did use the moment to express his broader views. “I think the whole concept of ‘cultural appropriation’ is bulls–t,” he wrote. “What’s wrong with celebrating another country’s fashion, food etc?”
This latest controversy marks another chapter in Morgan’s long history of making polarizing comments, whether on social media or his show Uncensored. He previously invited singer Jaguar Wright to the show, where she made serious claims against Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Following legal threats, Morgan removed the segment and apologized on air: “There are legal limits on us, too… We apologize to Jay-Z and Beyoncé.”
Morgan isn’t alone in criticizing Beyoncé’s Levi’s campaign. Conservative commentator Megyn Kelly recently called the visuals “artificial, fake, enhanced [and] trying too hard,” contrasting them with Sydney Sweeney’s American Eagle ads — which were, ironically, also widely mocked online.
Through it all, Beyoncé has remained silent. She hasn’t addressed Morgan’s comments or the controversy surrounding the campaign. Her latest Levi’s commercial — where she swaps her signature horse for a motorcycle — has fans buzzing that her next album may lean into rock influences.
For now, while Piers Morgan Expresses ‘Disappointment’ Over Beyoncé’s Alleged ‘Cultural Appropriation’ of Marilyn Monroe in Levi’s Advertisement, the singer seems more focused on evolving her artistry than engaging in online drama.