Normani & Teyana Taylor's VMAs Display Slammed By Barstool Sports Founder

BY Erika Marie 6.7K Views
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Bryan Bedder/MTV VMAs 2021 / Contributor / Getty Images
Teyana Taylor
Dave Portnoy says it is a double standard that his platform gets called out for being "sexist" while the singers were "scissoring" on television.

The racy performance involving Normani and Teyana Taylor at the MTV Video Music Awards still has fans talking. The sexually charged display showed Teyana as a guest, bound to a bondage board and receiving a lap—and face—dance from the singer. The performance left audiences divided as they discussed propriety once again, but Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy took an avid stance against the double standard he believes is being played out in real-time.

Barstool has faced accusations that it is a platform that normalizes rape culture while perpetuating cyberbullying and sexual harassment. Back in 2012, Portney, who has faced scandals after racist videos resurfaced, caught backlash after he reportedly said, " [E]ven though I never condone rape if you’re a size 6 and you’re wearing skinny jeans you kind of deserve to be raped right?”  

After watching the VMAs, Portnoy took to social media to call out the show. In the caption to a clip of Normani's performance he wrote, "This is good. Barstool bad." Later he added, “I just want people to know, this is on VH1 right now, just like cable TV, anyone can watch this... People say Barstool’s too raunchy, like, that, you know, we’re sexist, chauvinist pigs, can’t let people see it, too over the top, smokeshows, but this girl, who’s getting like face f—ed, and scissoring, right now just on VH1, this is cool."

Some agreed with Portnoy's stance. Check out a few posts below and let us know where you stand.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.