Margaret Qualley is facing backlash after making comments to BLACKPINK’s Jennie, which some have deemed racially insensitive.
On October 1st (local time), Jennie attended Chanel’s 2025 S/S fashion show at Paris Fashion Week as an official ambassador. Fellow BLACKPINK member Lisa also made waves by attending the Louis Vuitton show and meeting LVMH chairman Bernard Arnault and his wife.
Jennie turned heads in a blonde hairstyle paired with a light blue sweater and tweed shorts. In an interview with WWD, she explained her new look: “This is my new look. The blonde hair and pop of color I chose are meant to show a different side of me. I can’t share too much yet, but this look might just be a teaser for my new album.”
However, a video surfaced on social media showing Margaret Qualley greeting Jennie and asking, while touching her hair, “Is this your real hair?” Jennie simply replied, “No,” to which Qualley responded, “It looks real.”.
Some quickly pointed out that Qualley’s comments were racially insensitive, claiming that asking a non-white person if they have blonde hair is a common form of microaggression. Additionally, they criticized her for touching Jennie’s hair without permission, calling it inappropriate behavior.
@dazed Margaret Qualley and Jennie arrive at the @ChanelOfficial SS25 on the last day of Paris Fashion Week 💥 #DazedFashionTV #TikTokFashion #ParisFashionWeek #PFW #Chanel #MargaretQualley #Jennie #jannieblackpink #JennieKim ♬ maps – <3
Qualley is known for casual interactions with fellow Hollywood stars, often seen in friendly photos, including cheek kisses. However, in this instance, when Jennie posed for a photo seemingly leaning in for a kiss, Qualley appeared to pull away, further fueling the controversy.
Netizens commented, “It might seem like she was asking about a wig, but seeing how she acts with others, it feels like a racist remark,” and “When white people ask that, it’s like saying, ‘Why are you an Asian with blonde hair?'”
Margaret Qualley, daughter of actress Andie MacDowell, made her debut in 2011 and has appeared in films such as Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (2019) and Poor Things (2023). Her social media account is currently inaccessible.
>> Jennie Rocks Blonde Hair and Daring Fashion at Chanel’s Paris Fashion Week
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