For its anniversary issue, Condé Nast Traveller tried to make a political statement against xenophobia – and got blasted for it.
Actress Priyanka Chopra, the cover model for this month’s issue of the travel magazine, took the brunt of the criticism on Twitter, when people misinterpreted the message on the T-shirt she was wearing. The shirt, that caused so much controversy, had four words: ‘refugee,’ immigrant,’ and ‘outsider,’ all crossed out, above the word ‘traveller.’
Bold and fearless, @priyankachopra makes a statement on our 6th anniversary issue cover. #PCinCNT #WhyWeTravel pic.twitter.com/phtSE1ihVw
— Condé Nast Traveller (@CNTIndia) October 7, 2016
While the magazine’s message was “building bridges, not walls,” hoping to encourage travel and discourage labels, it didn’t have the intended effect. The image sparked outrage online, with many people up in arms, shaming Chopra for her ‘privilege’ and accusing her of trivializing the global refugee crisis.
.@priyankachopra @CNTIndia r u kidding me PC?! What with this shirt! Insensitive to all ppl suffer around from refugees..etc.
— Hanna (@HannanMust) October 8, 2016
@CNTIndia @priyankachopra offensive t-shirt. With 65 million ppl displaced, highest no. since WWII, to pretend as if it’s a choice. #nonPC
— savita_pawnday (@savita_pawnday) October 9, 2016
@CNTIndia @priyankachopra The refugee crisis is perhaps the saddest thing in the world right now. Are you guys stupid or that insensitive?
— Arpita Das (@arpitayodapress) October 10, 2016
@cntindia being a refugee is NOT a choice, it’s a matter of survival. i was already disappointed for her comments abt feminism, now this -.-
— कमली (@purplee_orchids) October 8, 2016
@cntindia @priyankachopra There is a difference between luxury & compulsion.u hv just defined a new low-a new shallow
— Shubham Singh (@MrShubhu) October 10, 2016
@CNTIndia @priyankachopra lol how tone deaf are you Conde Nast Traveller? It seems like you don’t ever leave your home or switch on the news
— Sriram Venkitachalam (@SriramVenkit) October 10, 2016
@CNTIndia @priyankachopra this lady has no brains.. such insensitivity.. shame to India!
— tarakeshwar (@tarakeshwar) October 10, 2016
@DesiMarketeer @CNTIndia @priyankachopra I agree so I created an alternate version pic.twitter.com/BMT4wyYng8
— Meena Kadri (@meanestindian) October 10, 2016
Chopra told NDTV that she “felt horrible” for wearing the T-shirt and apologized to those whose “sentiments were hurt” by it.
“The magazine had a point of view and they were very clear what they were addressing. They specifically got this made and they implored me to wear it,” Chopra said.
“I’m always someone who stands for no labels,” she added.
The magazine released a statement along with the cover that said:
It’s about how our labeling of people as immigrants, refugees and outsiders is creating a culture of xenophobia. We are allowing thousands of innocent people who are forced to cross borders due to unimaginable terror and atrocities to be treated without humanity and empathy. It’s about how we are allowing some powerful leaders to build barriers that make it more difficult for bright, motivated and hardworking people to see more of the world, learn from it and make it better for us all.”
