Singer Honey Singh was the glitz and glamour at close friends Sonakshi Sinha and Zaheer Iqbal’s wedding reception last night. Dressed to impress in a sharp blue suit and flashy golden-frame glasses, the musician not only celebrated the union of his friends but also took the opportunity to engage in an unexpected yet pointed conversation with a member of the paparazzi.
Upon spotting the photographer still snapping photos at the late hour of 1.30 am, Singh, visibly elated from the festivities, jovially called out, “What are you doing here wearing a Balenciaga outfit?” He quickly added a cautionary note, “Never wear a Balenciaga outfit. Google the reason behind it. There is a very bad controversy around it. I have burned all my Balenciaga clothes. They are bad people.”
This unexpected advisory from Honey Singh comes in the aftermath of a significant scandal that had engulfed the luxury brand Balenciaga. In November 2022, the high-end fashion house found itself at the center of a global backlash after releasing a holiday ad campaign featuring children holding teddy bears dressed in bondage harnesses and costumes. The sight of children in such provocative accessories sparked immediate and widespread outrage on social media, leading to the hashtag #cancelBalenciaga trending. The brand, along with its creative director Demna, was fiercely criticized and accused of promoting pedophilia and child exploitation.
Reacting to the outcry, Balenciaga issued two statements via their Instagram Stories, offering apologies for the controversial elements in both the holiday ad and a separate spring-summer campaign. The brand stated, “We take this matter very seriously and are taking legal action against the parties responsible for creating the set and including unapproved items for our spring 23 campaign photoshoot. We strongly condemn abuse of children in any form. We stand for children’s safety and well-being.” As of November 28, Balenciaga had removed the teddy bears from sale on their website, but the damage to their reputation had been done.
Back at the wedding reception, when the paparazzo inquired whether Honey Singh had indulged in drinks at the party, Singh admitted with candid honesty, “To be honest, I am very happy today. I haven’t drank in 1.5 years.
. But today, I drank a lot. My mother will yell at me if she sees this video.”
Singh’s celebratory mood was palpable as he continued to express his joy over the nuptials of his friends. “It is my best friend’s wedding, I am so happy. She got the best guy in Zaheer. I met him three years back. He is an awesome guy. And I hope he is going to keep her happy. Nahi toh hum dekh lenge usko,” he declared, his playful warning underscoring the depth of his affection and protective stance towards Sonakshi Sinha.
The wedding reception was indeed a night to remember, filled with high fashion, heartfelt interactions, and moments of exuberant jubilation. Yet, it was Singh’s spontaneous advisory regarding Balenciaga that added an unexpected layer of social consciousness to the night.
As conversations around responsible consumerism and the ethical practices of major brands become increasingly prevalent, incidents like the Balenciaga controversy serve as potent reminders of the influence and responsibility carried by luxury fashion houses. While Balenciaga’s swift apologies and legal actions indicate an attempt to rectify their misstep, the ridicule and criticism from both celebrities like Honey Singh and the general public reveal the long-term repercussions such controversies can have on a brand’s image.
Honey Singh’s comments may seem like a light-hearted moment among the evening’s festivities, but they reflect a larger societal trend of holding brands accountable for their actions. In an age where consumers are ever more aware and vocal about issues of exploitation and inappropriate representation, the fashion industry faces greater scrutiny.
Balenciaga’s misstep has undoubtedly cost them not just financially but also in terms of public trust. For celebrities like Honey Singh, such scandals serve as an avenue to use their influence in voicing social concerns, whether through casual conversation or broader public statements.
In a society where every interaction and every choice can become a statement, Honey Singh’s direct advice to the paparazzo not to wear Balenciaga becomes a small but significant act of standing up against what many saw as an egregious error by the brand. As the night of celebration concluded, this interaction highlighted the balance celebrities continue to strike between their public persona and personal beliefs, all in the public eye.
