Wichita makeup artist Gypsy Freeman entered a national Instagram-based contest sponsored by television personality Kat Von D–the trade name for Katherine von Drachenberg– unaware there was a political component to the judging.
Freeman submitted an Instagram image of an angelic figure juxtaposed against a heavily made-up girl in an all-black outfit in Kat Von D’s Saint + Sinner contest. The first prize winner and a guest were to be flown to Los Angeles, there to attend a party to celebrate the launch of Kat Von D’s new makeup line.
Freeman was thrilled to find out her entry had won. Almost immediately, however, other Instagram users went to Freeman’s site only to discover that the Wichita makeup artist had posted an image last November supporting Donald Trump’s candidacy. The word quickly got back to the L.A.-based Kat Von D.
Freeman made screen shots of the Instagram message she received from the personal account of Kat Von D. It is a good thing she did. According to the Wichita Eagle, which reported the story, Kat Von D’s company removed all superficial evidence of the contest’s existence. The rules, however, remained accessible in a cached version of the site. “Any legal U.S. resident 18 or older” was eligible to compete. The company did not respond to the Eagle’s request for information.
As noted on the screen shots, Von D informed Freeman that she drew “a personal line in the sand between myself and anyone who supports that man.”
“My launch party [and my brand] celebrates many things that Trump is against,” Von D continued. “And I just need you to know that I personally have a hard time with inviting anyone who would support such an anti-feminist, anti-homosexual/LGBT, anti-immigrant, and anti-climate change fascist such as Trump.”
Freeman graciously replied: “I won’t be upset with you if you can’t have us there for these reasons, and I wish you the best. We would love to be there, of course, but I sincerely do understand if you decide to replace us with someone who supports the candidate you support.”
