Story By: Ana Marjanovic, Sub-Editor: Michael Leidig, Agency: Newsflash
A veteran Brazilian singer has accused fans of racism who called her a monkey after she proudly showed off her body hair.
Gretchen, 63 – whose fans include star Katy Perry – shared a video on Instagram of her dancing as she shows off hair on her arms, chest and tummy.
The singer explained that she had recently appeared on a reality show with a model who proudly showed off her blonde ‘fur’ on her legs, leaving her “drooling”.
Gretchen said: “I did a reality show with Viviane Araujo (model), she had a lot of blonde hairs on her legs, I loved it, I didn’t have it at that time, I was drooling.”
After growing out her own hair, the Brazilian singer posted images showing off her regrown body hair but not all her fans were impressed.
One female follower asked her: “Are you a monkey?”
Gretchen told local media: “Prejudice and racism are very serious traits and we always need to take a stand against it.
She added: “My story is marked by destroying barriers of prejudice.
“In this way, I became an empowered woman who helps other women free themselves from these social ties that hold us back.”
When asked about the allegedly racist comments she suffered, Gretchen said she is talking to her lawyer about the matter.
She also explained that her hair growth has increased since she started hormonal treatment.
The singer told local media: “I started taking hormone replacement, because I’m at an age where I need it. It’s to fight menopause.
“I started taking testosterone and it activated my hair.
“I was very happy, because I really wanted to have hair on my body and be able to lighten it.
“Not only do I have it, but it is apparently a reason for controversy.”
“I receive a lot of direct messages from people who are bullied about this. I had no idea, I think it’s so common to have blonde hair.
“My daughter-in-law has it, I’ve always lived in the northeast, most women there have blonde hair.
“We lighten our hair on the beach. I was happy to help a lot of people who were embarrassed and are now enjoying this idea of having fur.”
