Halle Berry Speaks Out Against Drake’s Unauthorized Use Of Her Image On New Single Artwork

In an unexpected turn of events, Halle Berry, the acclaimed Academy Award-winning actress, has opened up about a recent controversy surrounding Canadian rapper Drake’s use of her image as artwork for his latest single. A well-known figure in the entertainment industry, Halle claims that Drake reached out to her for permission, but she adamantly refused. Despite her objection, Drake proceeded to use her photo as the artwork for his track, she claimed.

Halle took to Instagram to address the matter under a post about taking the high road, emphasizing the importance of being the “bigger” person. The artwork in question features Halle covered in green slime from the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. One Instagram user questioned her displeasure, pointing out that the photo is owned by Getty Images and speculating that Drake had obtained the necessary permissions and paid the required fees. The actress responded by explaining her perspective on the situation.

In a straightforward manner, Halle stated, “Cuz he asked me and I said NO that’s why. Why ask if you intend to do what you want to do! That was the f— you to me. Not cool. You get it?”

This exchange occurred shortly after Drake unveiled the cover art for his single Slime You Out which is part of his upcoming album, For All the Dogs. Halle had previously shared an Instagram post featuring the quote, “Sometimes you have to be the bigger guy…even if you’re a woman,” along with an explanation in the comments section. 

She expressed her disappointment that Drake had used her image without her consent, saying, “Didn’t get my permission. That’s not cool. I thought better of him!” Berry further conveyed her disappointment in the actions of someone she admired, emphasizing the need to move forward despite such disappointments.

Drake’s single, Slime You Out, marks the first collaboration between Drake and SZA, whose real name is Solána Imani Rowe. Both artists promoted the song by sharing the controversial artwork on their Instagram pages. The song itself explores the theme of love interests making “kid choices” in relationships, hence the choice of Nickelodeon-centered artwork.

Drake’s artistic choices have been a topic of discussion during this album era, notably when he enlisted his only son, Adonis, aged 5, to design the official cover for his album. The artwork, unveiled a month ago, portrays a dog with red eyes against a black background, bearing the caption FOR ALL THE DOGS. Cover by Adonis.

Drake’s eagerly awaited LP is scheduled to hit streaming services on September 22, marking his first new album since the 2022 collaborative effort with 21 Savage, Her Loss. Prior to that, Drake released Honestly, Nevermind in the same year and Certified Lover Boy in 2021.