A Kat Von D contest winner was allegedly disqualified after her support of Trump was exposed.
LA Ink star’s “Saints + Sinners” beauty contest was held on Instagram and contestants were to depict the dual nature of good and evil. The winner would be flown out to Los Angeles, along with a guest, for the launch of Kat’s new makeup line. The prize package was valued at approximately $2,100 and included a $500 gift card to Sephora.
Gypsy Freeman, a makeup artist from Kansas, was notified that she had won the contest for her depiction of an angelic figure besides a girl in all black and with thick mascara.
Shortly after Freeman was announced as the winner, the loyal anti-cis cyber-humans that roam social media discovered a “Make America Great Again” post on Freeman’s Instagram.
Freeman was messaged on Instagram by Kat Von D, where she explained that it wouldn’t be good for her business to have a pro-Trump artist at the party. Freeman’s response was actually very kind as she took the message in stride.
Kat Von D took things a step further, however. It wasn’t about business; it was personal.
“It’s not about inviting people based on their political stance – it’s just extremely difficult (borderline impossible) for me to be friends with or associate with anyone who would support a man who goes against everything I stand for. I would feel the same way towards people who supported Hitler, or any other fascist.”
According to the screenshots, Freeman replied, “I won’t be upset with you if you can’t have us there for these reasons, and I wish you the best. We would love to be there, of course, but I sincerely do understand if you decide to replace us with someone who supports the candidate you support.”
The photographer who took the photos for Freeman’s entry, Jenn Bischof, was invited to – and attended – the launch party in Freeman’s place.
In an interview with the Wichita Eagle, Freeman expressed her disappointment at the political discrimination taking place.
“It’s definitely bigotry – it’s everything that they’re calling us, they’re doing,” she said. “It’s a huge case of hypocrisy.”
Freeman also said she’ll probably not be using the KVD brand in the future. Ironically, Kat started her messages to Freeman by saying she did not want to put either of them in an uncomfortable position. Yet, by inserting her personal politics, she made it her brand unbearable to the Trump supporter.
LA Ink’s former star would’ve been wise to heed the advice of Michael Jordan. He said, “Republicans buy shoes, too.”
Comments on Freeman’s original contest post show that others are unhappy with Kat Von D as well.
One comment reads, “#boycottkatvond I refuse to buy any of her products after this. You have phenomenal talent and politics have nothing to do with artwork.”
Another states, “These photos are rad! Makeup should have 0 to do with politics. Sadly some people don’t understand freedom of speech or that it’s ok to have different view points.”
Gypsy Freeman (@facesofgypsy on Instagram) still proudly displays her support for the now-President on her Instagram. Kat Von D, however, has removed all reference to the contest on Instagram and their website, though the contest rules are available in a cached version of the site.
Neither Gypsy Freeman nor Kat Von D responded to request for comment in time for publication.
