Rita Ora's Coronavirus Merch Controversy

About

Rita Ora's Coronavirus Merch Controversy refers to a clothing line launched by British singer-songwriter Rita Ora in partnership with the World Health Organization in March 2020, that features images of a virus with a peace sign over it. Though all the proceeds are to be donated to the World Health organization for pandemic relief efforts and the merchandise is an attempt to #StoptheSpread, many have criticized Ora for not just donating the money herself.

Origin

On March 19th, 2020, Rita Ora posted several pictures to Instagram^[6] with the caption, "In case you haven’t heard, I’ve launched #StopTheSpread merch campaign^[3] with and in support of @UNfoundation @WHO!!! ALL proceeds go to the COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. If you want to do something about Covid-19 stay safe and clean, and Play Your Part by getting this merch and helping the cause!! Link on my stories and in my bio right now, we can do this together ❤️❤️❤️" (shown below). The post gained over 276,600 likes in five days.

Spread

On March 19th, 2020, Twitter user @BeeBabs^[4] retweeted @AmandaRosenberg stating "rta oa selling 'corona merch' i cant. these celebs are making me want to be around ppl" with "it's really exposing how little they understand about like….anything" (shown below, left). The tweet garnered over 1,300 likes and 140 retweets in five days. That same day, after many Twitter users criticized the merchandise Twitter user @PopCrave^[5] replied saying, "RitaOra makes it clear that all the #StopTheSpread merch campaign proceeds will go to the COVID19 Solidarity Response Fund" (shown below, right). The tweet gained over 160 likes and 20 retweets in five days. Vogue^[1] and PopBuzz^[2] published articles on the clothing line.

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