NLE Choppa denies 'gay baiting' accusations over viral 'playgirl' photoshoot
Courtesy: X
NLE Choppa is setting the record straight after a viral photo from his Playgirl shoot sparked accusations of queerbaiting.
The 22-year-old rapper, currently in Paris for Fashion Week, took to social media to address the criticism. He responded directly to a tweet claiming he was "gay baiting," clarifying that he was simply expressing "freedom" and comfort in his own skin.
In a video from his hotel bathroom, Choppa explained, "I just feel like narratives get painted because I don’t care so much," adding, "But do not say that I'm a gay baiter because I'm comfortable enough to show off the perfection that God has orchestrated over my physical, my mental, my spiritual, and even my emotions."
Choppa continued, "I am not a gay baiter because I posted a selfie in the mirror showing off how beautiful I am. I am not a gay baiter if I post a picture showing off how much God has blessed from below the waist with something that got women going crazy. I am not a gay baiter because, in [my] Playgirl shoot, I show a piece of my ass. I can’t show a piece of my own ass without being called a name? It’s my ass!"
The rapper, known for his hit "Slut Me Out 2," also expressed his love for himself, explaining that his confidence as a Black man is often misunderstood. He wrote on X, "I understand me being in love with myself as a BLACKMAN is so RARE to the point that some people try putting the homosexual jacket on my name."
In previous statements, Choppa made it clear that while he supports the LGBTQ community, his romantic interests are exclusively with women. He also addressed the backlash from his desire to perform at a Pride event, saying, "I’m secure, I know who I am. Show love, it won’t hurt and also you do know women are a part of the LGBTQ community right[,] you gone hate them too?"