At last night's Latin Grammy Awards, singer Mon Laferte came ready to take a stand on the red carpet, and she surely accomplished that.
The Chilean artist walked the red carpet in a belted black coat with black pants, boots, and what originally appeared to be a neon green turtleneck underneath. But soon into taking photos on the carpet, Mon Laferte opened the jacket to reveal a message written across her bare chest: "En Chile torturan violan y matan," which in English translates to, "in Chile they torture, rape and kill."
The reveal sparked quite the surprise, both online and on the red carpet, for its firm stance and message. As a Chilean woman herself, Mon Laferte could no doubt not seize the opportunity to take a stand on such a global stage as the Latin Grammy Awards, especially advocating for a cause that needs more attention and support. According to CBS News, for over a month in Chile, protests that stemmed from anger towards subway fares spiraled into civil unrest about an array of issues including unequal and unfair healthcare and wages. The protests quickly turned violent, however, as the police and government got involved. CBS News reports that at least 18 have been killed thus far while thousands have been arrested.
Mon Laferte was born in Chile in 1983 and has been a decorated artist from the nation since releasing her first single in 2009. At this year's Latin Grammy Awards, her album Norma was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album—an honor in which she won last night. On Instagram, Mon Laferte posted a photo of her red carpet look with the caption, "Mi cuerpo libre para una patria libre," which in English translates to "My free body for a free homeland," referring to her decision to show her breasts.
Many rallied around Mon Laferte on social media, praising her for taking such a powerful and public stance. Her decision to do so was no doubt a very calculated and thought-out one, but certainly paid off in bringing to light the troublesome and dangerous conditions in Chile.
Originally Appeared on Teen Vogue
