Credit: Inside the MagicIt’s been nearly one week since legendary rapper Snoop Dogg made headlines after criticizing the Disney/Pixar movie Lightyear for featuring a lesbian couple. The 2022 Chris Evans-led film told the origin story of the famed Space Ranger, Buzz Lightyear, and dealt with a bevy of controversies from the start. Fans did not like that the movie would not have Tim Allen in it, even though it was not about the Buzz Lightyear toy, and things got even more intense when it was revealed that the film would include a lesbian couple.
Related: Pixar’s ‘Lightyear’ Could Still Lead to a ‘Woody’ Spin-off
In an interview with the It’s Giving podcast, the “Gin and Juice” singer revealed that he didn’t like that the movie included a lesbian couple with a child, as he was not prepared to answer his grandson’s questions about the couple.
“What you see is what you see, and they’re putting it everywhere.”
“Oh s**t, I didn’t come in for this s**t. I just came to watch the go***mn movie.’ ‘They just said, she and she had a baby — they’re both women. How does she have a baby?’”
“It f***ed me up. I’m like, scared to go to the movies. Y’all throwing me in the middle of s**t that I don’t have an answer for… It threw me for a loop. I’m like, ‘What part of the movie was this?’ These are kids. We have to show that at this age? They’re going to ask questions. I don’t have the answer.”
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The comments quickly went viral and set off a heated debate, with some people attacking Disney and Pixar for the increase in inclusion in its films, and others defending the Mouse House for including all different kinds of couples.
One of Lightyear’s writers even chimed in. In an Instagram post, Lauren Gunderson revealed that she had been the writer to include the lesbian couple, as she knew it would be important, and such representation can have a big impact.
So, I created the LIGHTYEAR lesbians.
In 2018, I was a writer at Pixar – such a cool place, grateful to work there, learned a ton from kind and impressive creatives.
As we wrote earlier versions of what became LIGHTYEAR, a key character needed a partner, and it was so natural to write “she” instead of “he.” As small as that detail is in the film, I knew the representational effect it could have. Small line, big deal. I was elated that they kept it.
I’m proud of it. To infinity.
Love is love.
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Now, after creating quite the firestorm, the rapper is clarifying what he meant and offering a light apology for the comments he made on the podcast.
TS Madison is a transgender reality star, and in an interview with TMZ Live, she shared her thoughts on the situation.
“As a parent, you should also explain to your children that other things exist in the world, outside of what you have deemed normal in your own home. We’ve been conditioned to be able to understand heteronormative activity. We’ve conditioned it because that’s all we see, because we’ve always, as queer people, been pushed to the side… So it is time for us to have these uncomfortable conversations.”
Her interview was shared on Instagram, and Snoop actually commented on the post from Hollywood Unlocked, saying that he responded the way he did because he was surprised by the question.
I was just caught off guard and had no answer for my grandsons all my gay friends no what’s up they been calling me with love 💗 my bad for not knowing the answers for a 6 yr old 😳teach me how to learn I’m not perfect 🙌🏿🙏🏾🐾
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Related: ‘Lightyear’ Star’s LGBTQIA Comments Resurface After Snoop Dogg’s Anti-Gay Criticisms
In the wake of Snoop Dogg’s comments, past comments from Chris Evans also began making the rounds. Evans has been a staunch supporter of the LGBTQIA community and has called people who fight inclusion and representation “idiots.” He also said that he felt that society as a whole was becoming more accepting and, eventually, those who don’t want to see diversity “will die off like dinosaurs.”
Disney and Pixar went back and forth over whether to include the women’s same-sex kiss in Lightyear. The kiss was included in the original cut, but was then left on the editing floor. When fans learned that the kiss had been removed, they were furious. Disney and Pixar faced such intense backlash for the decision that they ended up putting the kiss back in. This caused the film to be banned in multiple countries, but Disney and Pixar stood by their final decision.
Lightyear is currently streaming on Disney+.
What do you think of Snoop Dogg’s apology? Do you think it sounded sincere or sarcastic? What do you think of all the backlash he has received for his initial comments? Share your thoughts on this divisive situation with us in the comments.