Many find it absurd that the 'American Idol' alum and Taylor Swift's BFF is chosen to grace the Pride issue of the magazine, considering his reputation for catering to 'the white gay community.'

• Jun 16, 2020

AceShowbiz - Todrick Hall has come under fire after he graced the cover of the Pride issue of Billboard magazine. Under the headline "Black and Gay in America: What It's Like to Be Todrick Hal", the singer is featured rocking a two-colored wig while holding up the infamous "Black Power" fist among one of his poses.

After his photos on the magazine were released online, people soon took to Twitter to question if he does fit the category of black and gay in America. "Its really no shade, but does Todrick even know what its like being black and gay in America?" one asked.

They mostly took issue with the fact that Todrick, who is known for being one of Taylor Swift's best friends, caters to the white audience. A critic remarked, "Todrick Hall caters to the white gay community and now all of a sudden he wants to talk about being a black gay man."

"Todrick is black??" a third user cynically asked. One other commented on his Billboard cover, "appreciate it if y'all would stop pulling todrick 'tap shoes' hall out your back pocket to feign inclusivity. don't nobody like this man."

Someone else alleged, "This is a disservice to Black Queer folx who actually live in their Blackness, and can truly tell that real experience. Tordick has consistently sold Black queer culture to the highest bidder and is no voice for any of us."

"This cover is so upsetting, out of all the black and gay men to choose from??? Y'all choose a white woman," an angry user wrote, while someone else scolded Billboard for not doing enough research before choosing Todrick for the special issue.

Todrick has not responded to the backlash, but he is clearly proud for being featured on the magazine's cover. "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever believe that I'd someday see my face on the cover of @billboard magazine. I am completely blown away!" he posted on Instagram along with his cover photo.

"I don't believe there could possibly be a more important time for a proud out black man to grace the cover of such a highly revered and respected magazine," he went on claiming. "I have gone through so much and fought so hard to try to prove myself in a world where there are hardly any outlets for a voice like mine to be heard, and seeing my face representing femininity and masculinity, the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color on the COVER of a music industry magazine when I am an unsigned artist is truly mind blowing."

Sharing a positive message, the former contestant of "American Idol" season 9 continued, "Just a reminder to chase your dreams, visibility is everything. My message & music is for everyone, but this pride month and in the midst of everything going on in our country I would like to dedicate this to the new generation of queer people of color. I see you, I hear you, I am you and I stand with you."

"Don't measure the value of your gift by the short sighted homophobic and racially fueled views of a manager or producer, it's not your job to help them see the fire and beauty in you," he added. "YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS TO BELIEVE IN YOU, PERIODT. Go chase your dreams and stop waiting for hall passes and permission slips. The world is ready to hear YOUR story & finally ready to hear it from YOU."

The 35-year-old concluded his lengthy statement with a shout out to his BFF Taylor and Billy Porter, writing, "Thank you @taylorswift & @theebillyporter for your kind words, I honestly cannot believe this is real. #happypride #blacklivesmatter #nojusticenopeace."