Dawn Robinson, the enigmatic and outspoken En Vogue songstress, is speaking on allegations made by Jermaine Dupri about her home and lifestyle. The singer, who has spoken candidly about her choice to sleep in her car, was not pleased with Dupri’s apparent skepticism and hit back, criticizing him for not being more understanding and supportive.
In an Instagram Live earlier this month, Dupri expressed skepticism about the financial struggles Robinson described. What threw him off? This woman has an assistant and lives out of her vehicle.
“If you don’t got no money, having an assistant is not even a thing you should ever think about,” Dupri said, shaking his head. “There ain’t no g###### way she got an assistant and she ain’t got no money.”
The comments set off a firestorm online, with observers on all sides of the debate weighing in. Some mirrored Dupri’s skepticism; others criticized him for being judgmental when he didn’t have the whole story.
Robinson did not let the comments go. During an appearance Tuesday (March 25) on “Way Up With Angela Yee,” she did not pretend that Dupri has any real insight into her life.
“He doesn’t know my story,” she said emphatically. “I’ve met him once in my life, if that.”
For Robinson, the real problem wasn’t only Dupri’s skepticism and tone. She was struck that he went public with doubts rather than providing support or at least deferring judgment.
“So that’s why I was shocked,” Robinson went on. “He doesn’t know anything about my life, so he’s making assumptions. So instead of coming to me directly and saying, ‘Hey, you know I heard about your situation, what do you need? Are you OK?’ or ‘Oh, I don’t know her story but she’s very brave. Like, be quiet.”
The singer also stressed that artists should lift, not drag each other down.
“We don’t attack one another like that,” she said. “You would swear that he knew me personally and my story and why. It’s like, who are you talking to? It was surprising, but I’m like, some people have just to be negative, and he doesn’t know my story.”
Robinson emphasized that her lifestyle is self-chosen, not imposed. It might sound weird to many, but she has made “car life” her own.
In a time of rising minimalism and unconventional living situations, Robinson would prefer that her choices not be viewed as suspect, particularly by someone who hasn’t walked in her shoes.
But Robinson’s response isn’t just about defending herself; it’s about reminding people to choose compassion over judgment and that this cruel culture isn’t just a generic public issue; it’s personal. If Dupri meant no harm, his comments indicate an industry-wide and societal issue: the urge to assume overunderstand. For Robinson, though, this chapter is another exercise in standing tall amid criticism. And, as ever, she’s taking it in stride and on her terms.
0 Comments