Overview
- On Nov. 28, Instagram creator @thefilmdiva posted a reel critiquing racist and sexist tones in the memes, which drew SZA's public reply.
- SZA called the treatment "classic misogynoir" and urged that the behavior "stop now," condemning how Erivo was characterized online.
- The memes targeted the widely shared clip of Erivo shielding Ariana Grande after a man breached a barricade in Singapore.
- Examples cited in coverage include a skeleton animation and edits that masculinize Erivo, which critics say dehumanize Black women.
- Erivo later told TODAY that she acted to make sure her friend was safe, offering context for the moment captured in the viral videos.