Photo Credit: Joseph Okpako/WireImage
From Megan Thee Stallion to Eminem: These Artists Taking a Public Stance Against the Roe v. Wade Overturn
Since the Supreme Court reversed the Roe v. Wade decision, artists like Megan Thee Stallion, Janelle Monáe and others have called out the overturn.
Artists are speaking out against the Roe v. Wade overturn. Last Friday (June 24), the Supreme Court reversed the original 1973 decision in a 5-4 ruling following the draft opinion being leaked in May. A number of states have either finalized or are expected to make abortion illegal, with trigger laws in effect in multiple states including Kentucky, Texas and Tennessee.
Billie Eilish
As summer marks festival season, numerous artists have taken the stage to express their opinions on the decision. The youngest artists to headline Glastonbury Festival in England, Billie Eilish called out the Supreme Court during her set on Friday, June 24.
“It’s about the concept of power and how we always need to remember not to abuse it. Today is a really really dark day for women in the US. And I’m just going to say that because I can’t bear to think about it anymore in this moment,” Eilish said before performing “Your Power.”
\u201cBillie Eilish calls the Supreme Court\u2019s repeal of abortion rights \u201ca really really dark day for women\u201d\u201d— CONSEQUENCE (@CONSEQUENCE) 1656112829
Megan Thee Stallion
Fellow Glastonbury performer Megan Thee Stallion agreed with Eilish's sentiment on Sunday, June 24. “Now y’all know it wouldn’t be me if ain’t take a second to call out these stupid ass men. I mean god damn, what else you want? Texas really embarrassing me right now, y’all know that’s my home state," she said during her set.
The crowd responded with a mix of cheers and boos, before Megan led her audience in a chant.
“And I want it on the record, that the hot girls and hot boys do not support this bullshit that y’all campaigning for. My body, my m*****fucking choice! I need everybody in the audience right now to say, ‘my body, my m*****fucking choice!’”
Prior to the performance, Megan tweeted an infographic about abortion to get her followers informed.
\u201cThe court has failed us all \u2014 but we won\u2019t back down. I\u2019m going to keep fighting because everyone deserves access to the care they need. Join me and @PPact: https://t.co/fd4K56b8w3. #BansOffOurBodies\u201d— TINA SNOW (@TINA SNOW) 1656096117
Kendrick Lamar
Closing Glastonbury Festival was Kendrick Lamar who took a powerful stance against the Supreme Court while ending his set with "Savior," all while wearing a diamond-encrusted crown and fake blood covering his face and attire.
“Godspeed for women’s rights. They judge you, they judge Christ," he repeated.
\u201cGodspeed for Women\u2019s rights \ud83d\ude4f\ud83c\udffehttps://t.co/3srSXVjjhS\u201d— DDOT. (@DDOT.) 1656290434
Janelle Monáe
During Sunday's BET Awards 2022 artists hit the Microsoft Theater stage with thoughts of their own on Roe v. Wade. While presenting the award for Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Janelle Monáe shouted out "Black queer artists to Black nonbinary artists" before criticizing the Supreme Court.
“F*** you, Supreme Court. I know we’re celebrating us right now, which we should,” she said, putting up her middle finger. “We absolutely deserve to celebrate. Especially now, we must celebrate our art by protecting our rights and our truth.”
\u201c\u201cF*** you, Supreme Court\u201d - Janelle Monae\n\nI KNOW THAT\u2019S RIGHT\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\ud83d\udd25\n#BETAwards\u201d— Nina Turner (@Nina Turner) 1656289647
Jazmine Sullivan
Winning Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, Jazmine Sullivanspoke directly to male viewers.
\u201cJazmine Sullivan, speaking to men: "If you have ever benefited from a woman making one of the toughest decision of her life \u2014 terminating a pregnancy \u2014 you need to stand up." #BETAwards\u201d— philip lewis (@philip lewis) 1656289415
“If you have ever benefited from a woman making one of the toughest decisions of her life, which is to terminate a pregnancy, you need to be standing with us. This is not just a woman’s issue. This is everybody’s issue, and we need your support more than ever, OK, fellas. Y’all got us? Because we’ve got y’all. Y’all got us?”
Read what other artists have said about the Roe v. Wade overturn below:
Eminem
\u201cAs a father it pisses me off that women have fewer rights 2day than just a few days ago\u2026 we r fuckin goin bckwards. Here\u2019s how 2 help in MIchigan. https://t.co/AzYGESOF8j\u201d— Marshall Mathers (@Marshall Mathers) 1656279600
Pink
\u201cLet\u2019s be clear: if you believe the government belongs in a woman\u2019s uterus, a gay persons business or marriage, or that racism is okay- THEN PLEASE IN THE NAME OF YOUR LORD NEVER FUCKING LISTEN TO MY MUSIC AGAIN. AND ALSO FUCK RIGHT OFF. We good?\u201d— P!nk (@P!nk) 1656194286
Mariah Carey
\u201cIt is truly unfathomable and disheartening to have to try to explain to my 11 year old daughter why we live in a world where women\u2019s rights are disintegrating in front of our eyes.\u201d— Mariah Carey (@Mariah Carey) 1656105338
Lizzo
\u201cI\u2019m pledging $500k from my upcoming tour to Planned Parenthood. Live Nation agreed to match\u2014 to make it 1 MILLION dollars\u201d— FOLLOW @YITTY (@FOLLOW @YITTY) 1656112361