Ahead of releasing the name and drop date of his new single with SZA, Drake took it upon himself to promote the track with a throwback photo of Halle Berry, and she isn’t really here for it.
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Keeping the caption minimal and simply tagging SZA to hype up the track, which we now know is called “Slime You Out,” Drake posted a memorable pic of Berry getting slimed at the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards.
Taking to Instagram herself not too long after, Halle shared a quote that read, "Sometimes you have to be the bigger guy.. .even if you're a woman!"
While the image is available to anyone through Getty Images, and isn’t exclusively owned by Berry, the internet still inquired if the cryptic quote had anything to do with Drake using an image of her to promote his music, with many wondering if he even asked her permission. Taking to the comments section, one follower asked, “what are your thoughts of Drake using that picture of you for his single?”
Halle replied, “didn’t get my permission. That’s not cool, I thought better of him!” Also adding, “Hence my post today. When people you admire disappoint you, you have to be the bigger person and move on!” confirming those suspicions.
As the comments section continued on to become a debate about the freedom to license the photo that is openly available to all, another follower commented, urging that “it’s the principle people. You get it ... you get it ... you don’t ... ohhh well … it’s the principle!”
“Exactly!! It's about principles and integrity,” Berry agreed. “So happy many of you get that.”
Then in response to another follower, Berry clarified even more, noting, ”he did have his people call my people call my people and I said NO. I didn't like that image of slime all over my face in association with his song. And he chose to do it anyway ! You see... that is the disrespect. Not cool!”