Lewis Hamilton publicly shames young nephew for wearing pink princess dress on Christmas Day
The Formula One racer shared a video of himself confronting the small boy on Instagram.
By Will Stroude
Lewis Hamilton has sparked a furious backlash after posting a video online in which he confronts his young nephew for wearing a princess costume on Christmas Day.
The four-time World Championship-winning Formula One racer was slammed by fans after being seen angrily shaming his nephew for wearing a pink princess dress the boy had asked for for Christmas.
The video shared on Hamilton’s Instagram sees the Mercedes driver address the camera as he says: “I’m so sad right now – look at my nephew.”
The camera then cuts to the smiling child playing by the Christmas tree, wearing a fushia pink dress and waving a wand.
As Hamilton approaches the boy, he asks hilm: “Why are you wearing a Christmas dress? Is this what you got for Christmas?”
His nephew awkwardly laughs and nods, causing Hamilton, 32, to press on, asking: “Why did you ask for a princess dress for Christmas?”
As the boy sheepishly replies “because we like them,” Hamilton shouts: “Boys don’t wear princess dresses!”
Hamilton’s small-minded display quickly drew fierce criticism online.
Re-sharing the video, Twitter user @JustNabz wrote: “Oh dear Lewis. You’ve just opened a can of worms… The kid looks genuinely happy! Just let him enjoy his little life without having social norms imposed on him.”
Oh dear Lewis. You’ve just opened a can of worms… pic.twitter.com/fpsiNeOZrd
— Nabeela (@JustNabz) December 25, 2017
The kid looks genuinely happy! Just let him enjoy his little life without having social norms imposed on him
— Nabeela (@JustNabz) December 25, 2017
She added later: “I don’t care what Lewis’ beliefs are, you can’t publicly put down a CHILD for innocently liking what they like or wanting what they want, especially when you’re an icon and someone who kids look up to, respect and admire.”
I don’t care what Lewis’ beliefs are, you can’t publicly put down a CHILD for innocently liking what they like or wanting what they want, especially when you’re an icon and someone who kids look up to, respect and admire
— Nabeela (@JustNabz) December 25, 2017
Others were less eloquent in the critcism, but no less scathing, with Twitter user @oneofthosefaces writing simply:”what a prick.”
this is so fucking mean, what a prick https://t.co/Jsx18BajBT
— G🧜🏾♀️ (@oneofthosefaces) December 26, 2017
Many also pointed out how Hamilton’s attack could have a lasting impact on his nephew, with some recalling how being shamed for gender-non-conforming behaviour as children had stuck with them well into adulthood.
“watching the lewis hamilton vid actually excruciating, that little boy was me at that age, and all i ever heard was grown men like hamilton shouting at me for it,” Twitter user @jakkhayes wrote.
“now 18 years on i’m still so conscious of how i behave & present in front of masculine performing men. F**K THAT.”