Japanese illustrator Hajime Sorayama is not pleased with Beyoncé tour and film visuals.
Sorayama, a designer who is known for his erotic portrayals of feminine robots, claims she ripped off his artwork.
Sorayama posted five images , including one showing Beyoncé on screen at one of the concerts on her 2023 tour and another of what looks to be tour merchandise. Another three remaining images appear to be his artworks that inspired the look.
“Yo Beyonce You should have asked me ‘officially’ so that I could make much better work for you as like my man The Weeknd”, Sorayama said. While some defended Beyoncé, citing inspiration from the 1927 film ‘Metropolis’, others supported Sorayama, acknowledging his artistic influence.
“You and whoever made her headpiece clearly drew from the same Metropolis inspo. Doesn’t make anyone a thief, certainly not Beyoncé,” wrote The Vixen, a former contestant on RuPaul’s Drag Race.
Another Instagram user, Jared Keith Lee, said he was a fan of Sorayama but noted that visuals from Beyoncé’s tour have been out since May.
“Now you suddenly have a problem with it?” Lee said, also drawing attention to the fact the headpiece worn by Beyoncé is similar to work by French fashion designer Manfred Thierry Mugler. Sorayama has collaborated with Mugler in the past.
It remains unclear if Sorayama intends to take legal action against Beyoncé.