Rapper Post Malone Denied Entrance In Australian Bar Because Of His Tattoos
By Sidra Lackey
Popular American rapper Post Malone was recently in Australia and according to Rolling Stone, was turned away from an upscale bar because of his tattoos.
Malone was recently in Perth, Australia at QT Hotel & Resorts. He tried to enter the hotel’s rooftop bar but he said he was not allowed entry by security for violating their policy prohibiting “face, neck, and offensive tattoos” — Rolling Stone reports in “Post Malone Turned Away From Australian Bar Because of His Face or Neck Tattoos.”
“They turned me away for my tattoos. I’ve never really experienced anything like that,” Malone told The West Australian newspaper. Malone is heavily tattooed with over 70 tattoos total, more than 10 of them on his face.
It is reported Malone rerouted his night, “ending up at a different rooftop bar nearby where he reportedly supplied drinks to the 18 Knots patrons, including a number of fans.”
A representative for QT Hotels since the incident, issued a statement of apology to Malone for denying him entry into their establishment according to Daily Mail Australia saying:
“At QT, we aim to welcome everyone and celebrate the uniqueness of each individual. QT has been recognized for this for many years. However, on Saturday night, our third-party security did not exercise the appropriate discretion, and we take full responsibility for this. We sincerely apologize to the individuals affected.”
This situation is unfortunate — that people who have tattoos, whether a celebrity or not, whether outside of the United States or not — still face discrimination and are not allowed to enter into some businesses. Offensive tattoos (example: gang affiliated ink, racist tattoos etc.) understandably, a business should have the discretion to not entertain those who may pose a threat to other patrons. But if a patron happens to be covered in tattoos, what is the real underlying issue behind someone being denied entrance into a business? Especially in Post Malone’s case, when tattoo statistics say: 14% of people have at least one tattoo in Australia (17% of people have more than one tattoo in America).
Tattoo collectors who are heavily tattooed, have face or neck tattoos, do you think places of business should have the right to turn away patrons with extensive tattoos showing? Have you ever been denied entrance into a place of business because of your tattoos?