Comedian Deon Cole addressed the controversy surrounding the effeminate crushed velvet pantsuit he wore to the 51st Annual NAACP Awards.
The 48-year-old actor reminded his followers that he is a comedian who routinely wears outlandish attire on red carpets.
“First of all let me say this: any events I’ve been to I have a track record… on every red carpet, I’ve always worn something super live, super dope.”
He added: “I done been on some of the best dressed lists, by taking chances, as well as I’ve been on some of the worst dressed lists… but I’ve always had the balls to wear what I wanted to wear.”
Cole said he respected his followers’ opinions, but he is “tripping on the hate. The hate that I have been receiving is just unreal.”
“I have super tough skin,” he said. “But the hatred that you all spew is like crazy to me. And it’s always against our own kind.”
Cole urged his critics to redirect their anger into something more productive.
“It’s about balance, y’all. You can be mad at me about my pants, but use that same anger when it comes to injustice.”
