'Stop the unicorn hunt' and other reactions to Rod Stewart's sealskin controversy
Reaction to Rod Stewart's denial of knowing the coat he posed in during a visit to St. John's was made of sealskin has been rapid and fierce.
After local furrier Always in Vogue posted the photo of Stewart in a sealskin jacket online, praise came rolling in from local residents who felt support from a celebrity was refreshing, given the negative light cast over sealing by other noteworthy celebrities.
Condemnation was just as swift, with anti-sealing activists like Paul Watson, slamming Stewart for wearing the jacket.
- Pamela Anderson, Simpsons' Sam Simon offer cash to sealers
- Paul McCartney calls for end to commercial seal hunt, again
Stewart was in St. John's to headline the Confederation Hill Music Festival July 11 when he stopped in to the store to get warm clothing for his backup dancers and musicians. That's when owner Darren Halloran said Stewart was fitted for a jacket, knowing full well it was made of sealskin.
However, Stewart posted on social media Tuesday that he did not know what it was made out of, adding he was enraged that the photo was being used for "something I do not support."
Those comments have sparked debate over the sealing industry and Stewart himself, including some ingenious hashtags on Twitter. Here is some of that reaction:
<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNL">@CBCNL</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rodstewart?src=hash">#rodstewart</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/stop?src=hash">#stop</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/AlexRobbinz">@AlexRobbinz</a> <a href="http://t.co/ZfARcgInec">pic.twitter.com/ZfARcgInec</a>
—@MikeGehue<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNL">@CBCNL</a> Oh Noooo! What if he never comes back!?!!? The thought of a human wearing a coat made from an animal skin! Next we'll be eating cows
—@byrneoNLThe Fur Coat is the Sleekest <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RodStewartSealSongs?src=hash">#RodStewartSealSongs</a>
—@WhiteMatt2When the ocean meets the sky, I'll be sealing <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RodStewartSealSongs?src=hash">#RodStewartSealSongs</a>
—@WhiteMatt2<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNL">@CBCNL</a> Google "Rod Stewart fur". He has been wearing animals for 50 years. <a href="http://t.co/L2VDsn8Vzm">pic.twitter.com/L2VDsn8Vzm</a>
—@StevenDrover<a href="https://twitter.com/CBCNL">@CBCNL</a> If he doesn't support the fur industry then why the heck was he inside a furriers store? That seems a little hypocritical to me.
—@NewfieDeadGirlThe sealing industry wasn't going to thrive with his 'endorsement' nor will it die because of his non-support. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/rodstewart?src=hash">#rodstewart</a>
—@deevinHere, hold this coat. Snap! Advertising at its finest. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeverInVogue?src=hash">#NeverInVogue</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RodStewart?src=hash">#RodStewart</a>
—@DaveJSullivan