By platforming and defending alleged abusers, are singers like Nicki Minaj and Rihanna feeding rape culture?

Nyair Washington

Content warning: This article contains mentions of abuse.

Somewhere between Nicki Minaj’s jokes about her fans doxxing people, and Rihanna platforming alleged abusers, a piece of my teenage spirit, and playlist, died. Rape culture is alive and well.

Very few things turn your stomach like your girlhood icons invalidating women, just for the love of men. It is no surprise that Minaj and Rihanna have left me perpetually nauseous.

Rihanna, despite having one of the most covered stories of abuse in modern history, happily consorted with convicted rapist R Kelly. This was well after his controversial marriage to fifteen-year-old Aaliyah. Six years later, she was platforming Johnny Depp, another alleged abuser at her SavagexFenty show. 

Even worse, Minaj attacked Megan Thee Stallion (MTS) for days on end, following a bar about sex offenders in MTS’s song ‘Hiss’. Offended on behalf of her sex offender husband, Minaj took to X to question the validity of MTS’s assault, and taunt her with rhymes about her deceased mother.

Both speak to a phenomenon and prove that these artists, possibly survivors themselves, work in tandem with male abusers to silence other survivors, whether consciously or subconsciously.

The Rape Culture They Support

Despite facing over 19 accusations of sexual assault, Donald Trump served a full term as the 45th president of the United States. In the same vein, recent polls expose that Trump still has a good chance of becoming president again, notwithstanding being found liable for sexual assault. 

“The list of men who have continued to garner public affection and career success despite receiving public allegations is seemingly ever-growing”

In the years since Trump’s election, we have taken some steps in the right direction. Though Hollywood, the land of non-disclosure agreements, never expected the ‘little’ people to risk exposure, #MeToo became a household name.

Yet, the list of men who have continued to garner public affection and career success despite receiving public allegations is ever-growing. Check the careers of alleged abusers Chris Brown, Diddy, Brad Pitt, and Dr. Luke to confirm.

Johnny Depp infamously sued Amber Heard for defamation in 2022. Despite mutual testimonies of emotional and physical abuse, the difference in how the public treated the pair was vitriolic. After the case, Heard became public enemy #1. Not only was she rumored to be blacklisted from acting jobs, but scores of social media users even went as far as to use audio of Heard’s abuse testimony to make jokes at her expense. Depp’s career, however, was treated to an inappropriate renaissance. As well as receiving a highly privileged directorial role, Rihanna gave Depp her brand’s first-ever male runway slot.

Rihanna’s clear alignment with the man who joked about drowning, burning, and having sex with Heard’s corpse is telling of a much bigger issue in the industry. If we can not trust other women, even those who have experienced similar abuse, who can we trust? 

How Do Some Female Stars Enable Rape Culture?

While abusers are undoubtedly the villains, there is something to be said about the women that platform them despite their publicised indiscretions. After all, solidarity among women is mandatory for a revolt against rape culture and the industries that exploit it. 

The problem is that some female artists normalise the behaviours of abusive men in the industry, largely through public support and collaborations. While speaking up could be the difference between someone harming more people and facing justice, the system is set up to oppose survivors. When even your favorite musical artist supports your abuser, who do you turn to? Who will believe you?

Minaj, for instance, despite disclosing an alleged abusive former relationship with fellow rapper Meek Mill, still opts to defend her husband’s rape conviction from 1995. She has also collaborated with 6ix9ine, accused of child exploitation and sexual abuse. 

“there is so much power in the rallying of women”

Even more jaded is Minaj exploiting the impact of #MeToo and weaponizing her fanbase against those who have wronged her. Simultaneously she has platformed those who cause other women harm – all while accusing other survivors of lying. Even her attempts at encouraging victims fall flat when you consider this tumultuous history. 

Recently, more female artists like Sexxy Red and Doja Cat have exemplified behaviors that endorse perpetrators of violence against women. Red, despite mass support following her rape disclosure, was soon endorsing Trump.

If we shunned men more for their indiscretions instead of women for their abuse, maybe so many women would not fall victim.

Accountability For Rape Culture

Calling for accountability from survivors and oppressed populations is a touchy subject. After all, they are for whom we rally for protection. Ultimately, the goal is to create a world with better outcomes for survivors and fewer acts of abuse. That requires accountability from everyone. But on a small scale, there is so much power in the rallying of women. 

“If men faced adequate repercussions, many would fear consequences”

This power is seen in the domino effect caused by a single woman coming forward in cases like that of Bill Cosby or Harvey Weinstein. From the success stories, we can identify that as unity among women grows, the power among abusive men depletes.

Some famous women getting it right and mobilizing their platforms include Megan Thee Stallion, Reese Witherspoon, and Viola Davis.  

How women can help other women:

  1. Speak up. An outcry from even one individual can lead to many others coming forward. However, disclosure is a complex point for survivors. After all, disclosure is a survivor’s right only. When, or if ready, speak up.
  2. Shun! Rebuke the behaviors of abusers. Resist collaborations with those that harm women, as collaborations aid perpetrators financially and physically.
  3. Rally. Work with other women and keep them in the know of who has harmed women. Mentor them, and support them privately and publicly when they do face abuse.

Protection needed from the industry and society:

  1. Believe survivors. Many more would come forward if women were supported versus shunned.
  2. Stop giving alleged abusers more power. If men faced adequate repercussions, many would fear consequences. Hold them accountable!
  3. Abolish the statute of limitations for alleged sex crimes. With grueling questioning, a complete walkthrough of the assault, and an unsure result with possible ridicule and unavoidable trauma, it makes sense that so many women do not report. Rape kits are invasive, and choice should not expire.

After all, who, if not us, will lead our revolution?

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Featured image courtesy of Aktiv Oslo via Flickr. No changes were made to this photo. Image license available here.

My name is Nyair/Riayn. I am a multifaceted, intersectional womanist with varying interests and specialties. I have an extensive background in education and mental health and favor pieces focused on youth, rape culture, feminism, gay rights, and minorities.

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