Huda Beauty Ends Partnership with Huda Mustafa Over Racist Remark

In the fast-paced world of beauty and social media, accountability is key. Huda Beauty, a globally recognized makeup brand, has recently made headlines for cutting ties with one of its collaborators, Huda Mustafa. This decision comes after a controversial livestream where Mustafa appeared to laugh at a caller using a racial slur against “Love Island” star Olandria Carthen.

Huda Beauty’s Stance on Racism

The beauty giant, led by Huda Kattan, didn’t hesitate to address the incident. In a strong statement posted on Instagram, Huda Beauty emphasized that Mustafa’s actions did not align with their core values. The brand stated that they take “all forms of racism very seriously” and found Mustafa’s behavior “deeply upsetting.”

The brand highlighted that the livestream and Mustafa’s subsequent handling of the situation caused hurt and offense to many within the makeup community and the Huda Beauty team itself. “At Huda Beauty, kindness and humanity are at the heart of everything we do,” the statement read, making it clear that such behavior is unacceptable.

Mustafa’s Response and Apology

Following the backlash, Huda Mustafa took to her Instagram Stories to issue an apology to Olandria Carthen. She explained that her reaction was not one of amusement but rather a nervous, uncomfortable response to being “caught off guard.” Mustafa acknowledged the gravity of the racial slur and expressed regret for her immediate reaction, stating it was inappropriate.

In an effort to demonstrate her commitment to addressing the issue, Mustafa also announced her intention to donate to the NAACP. The livestream in question, which occurred on October 27th with her boyfriend Louis Russell, showed Mustafa reacting after a caller used the N-word to describe Carthen. She did hang up on the caller after questioning what was said.

Calls for Genuine Accountability

Olandria Carthen herself has spoken out, calling for accountability regarding racism and noting that “surface-level apologies” are insufficient. Her stance echoes a growing sentiment that actions, not just words, are needed to combat racism effectively. Huda Beauty’s decisive action aligns with this call for genuine accountability, sending a clear message about their brand principles.

The decision by Huda Beauty to end their partnership underscores the importance of aligning brand collaborations with ethical values. It serves as a reminder that in today’s interconnected world, public figures and brands are constantly under scrutiny, and their responses to sensitive issues can have significant consequences.