Latto calls herself a spicy white woman in new interview [VIDEO]
Latto Classifies Herself As A Spicy White Woman
In a new interview by Complex with Speedy Morman, Atlanta rapper Latto, born Alyssa Michelle Stephens, made headlines by calling herself a “spicy white woman,” referencing the 2004 film White Chicks. The statement, tied to her evolving identity as a biracial artist, has ignited a firestorm of reactions on X, with fans debating her racial identity and celebrating her unapologetic vibe. Known for hits like “Big Energy,” Latto’s journey from “Miss Mulatto” to a Grammy-nominated star has been marked by success and scrutiny. This article dives into fan responses, the context of her Complex interview, and how Latto’s comments connect to broader celebrity race controversies.
Big Energy: Latto’s Career Resilience
Latto’s “spicy white” comment hasn’t overshadowed her musical legacy. Her 2019 hit “B**ch from da Souf” went double platinum, marking her as Atlanta’s first female rapper with a solo gold and platinum record. “Big Energy,” a 2021 triple-platinum smash, peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100, earning a Grammy nomination. Her 2023 collab with Jung Kook, “Seven,” hit number one globally, while “Put It on da Floor Again” with Cardi B reached number 13. Her 2024 album Sugar Honey Iced Tea solidified her stardom, hitting the Billboard 200’s top 15.
Fans celebrate her hustle. “Latto’s out here dropping hits and joking about being spicy white,” one tweeted. “She’s unstoppable.” Her BET Awards wins, including Best New Artist in 2021 and Best Female Hip Hop Artist in 2023, underscore her impact. “Latto’s a legend, no matter what she calls herself,” another posted. Her ability to thrive amid identity debates keeps fans loyal, with one tweeting, “From Mulatto to Latto to spicy white, she’s always gonna shine.”
Latto Calls Herself Spicy White Woman: A Bold Claim
During the Complex interview, Latto, formerly known as Mulatto, leaned into her biracial heritage with humor, saying, “I’m a spicy white woman, like White Chicks vibes.” The quip, delivered with her signature confidence, referenced the Wayans brothers’ comedy about two Black FBI agents posing as white women. Fans on X exploded with reactions. “Latto calling herself a spicy white woman is iconic,” tweeted one supporter. “She’s owning her identity!” Others were puzzled, with her response. Especially as a biracial woman.
The comment builds on Latto’s history of navigating racial identity. Born to a Black father and white mother, she faced backlash for her original stage name, “Mulatto,” which critics deemed colorist. In 2021, she rebranded as Latto, dropping the controversial moniker. The Complex interview has fans buzzing, with many seeing her statement as a playful embrace of her dual heritage, while others question its implications in a racially charged industry.
Complex Interview Sparks Identity Debate
The Complex interview, hosted by Speedy Morman, gave Latto a platform to reflect on her career and identity. When asked about her biracial background, she laughed, “I’m spicy white, you know, like White Chicks. I’m that girl.” The lighthearted remark, paired with her Atlanta swagger, resonated with fans who admire her authenticity. “Latto’s just being real,” one tweeted. “She’s biracial and proud!” Others felt the comment downplayed her Black identity, with another user posting, “Spicy white? Come on, Latto, you’re a Black queen.”
The interview also touched on her rise from winning Jermaine Dupri’s The Rap Game in 2016 to dropping her platinum-certified hit “Big Energy” in 2021. Fans tied her identity claim to her resilience. “Latto’s been called out for her race before, but she’s still here winning,” one tweeted. The Complex interview, released amid her Sugar Honey Iced Tea (2024) album cycle, has kept Latto in the spotlight, with fans debating how her “spicy white” label fits into her narrative as a trailblazing Atlanta rapper.
Racial Identity in the Spotlight
Latto’s racial identity has been a focal point since her Rap Game days as Miss Mulatto. The name, rooted in her biracial heritage, drew criticism for its historical ties to racial classification. In 2021, she changed it to Latto, releasing “The Biggest” to mark the shift. “I had to drop Mulatto because people didn’t get it,” she said in a 2021 interview. Fans on X reflect on this journey, with one posting, “Latto calling herself spicy white is her way of flipping the script on the haters.” Others see it as a misstep, with another tweeting, “She’s biracial, not white. This could stir up more drama.”
Her comment comes amid a broader wave of celebrity race controversies. Additionally, fans are dissecting how biracial artists navigate identity in hip-hop. Especially, where authenticity is king. Despite Latto’s incredible career, her authenticity often comes up for discussion.
Other Celebrities Facing Race Controversies
Latto isn’t alone in facing scrutiny over racial identity. Drake, who is biracial, has long navigated questions about his Blackness in hip-hop. “Drake gets called ‘too soft’ for his background, just like Latto’s spicy white comment,” one fan tweeted. Logic, another biracial rapper, faced backlash for emphasizing his white heritage early in his career, with fans on X noting, “Logic and Latto both catch heat for being biracial.” Doja Cat, whose South African and Jewish roots spark debate, has been accused of distancing herself from Black culture, with one user posting, “Doja’s out here dodging race questions like Latto.”
Cardi B, embroiled in a divorce with Offset, has faced criticism for her Afro-Latina identity, with some questioning her Blackness. “Cardi and Latto both deal with race drama in hip-hop,” one tweeted. Iggy Azalea, an Australian rapper, was criticized for adopting a “blaccent,” with fans comparing her to Latto’s identity pivot. “Iggy got roasted for acting Black, now Latto’s calling herself white,” one posted. These controversies highlight the complex racial dynamics celebrities face, with fans drawing parallels to Latto’s Complex interview.
Cultural Identity and Hip-Hop: Latto’s “Spicy White” Comment Sparks Critical Conversation
Latto’s self-description as a “spicy white woman” during her Complex interview has reignited a layered conversation about race, identity, and cultural appropriation in hip-hop. While some interpreted the comment as lighthearted or tongue-in-cheek, others saw it as a misstep—especially considering her past controversy surrounding the stage name “Mulatto,” which she eventually changed due to its racially loaded history.
At the heart of the debate is a larger question: how do biracial artists navigate Black culture and whiteness in a genre rooted in Black resistance and authenticity? Latto’s comment, whether joking or not, touches on the fine line between embracing one’s full racial identity and inadvertently minimizing the cultural weight hip-hop carries. For many fans, especially Black listeners, the phrase “spicy white” feels dangerously close to the kind of language often used to exoticize or co-opt Blackness for aesthetic value—something hip-hop has long pushed back against.
The Honesty Of Identity
Still, others argue that Latto’s openness about her identity—flaws, jokes, and all—is part of what makes her relatable in a landscape where authenticity is currency. Her rise from viral freestyles to Grammy nominations shows she’s not just passing through the culture—she’s shaping it. But as hip-hop continues to wrestle with who gets to say what, and how, Latto’s comment is a reminder that artists today are navigating identity under a much sharper lens.
What’s Next for Latto?
Latto’s “spicy white” comment keeps her in the spotlight as she promotes Sugar Honey Iced Tea. With new music teased for late 2025, fans are eager for more. “Latto’s out here joking and still topping charts,” one tweeted. Her ability to navigate controversy, from her name change to this interview, shows her resilience.
As Latto continues her rise, fans expect her to address the “spicy white” backlash head-on. “She’ll probably drop a bar about it,” one tweeted. For now, her Complex interview has sparked a conversation about identity, authenticity, and stardom in hip-hop.
Embracing Identity and Controversy: Latto’s Cultural Impact
Latto referring to herself as a “spicy white woman” in her Complex interview has stirred both humor and debate, underscoring the complexities of race, identity, and authenticity in hip-hop. Her playful remark—rooted in her biracial background—echoes similar identity conversations surrounding artists like Cardi B and Drake, who’ve also navigated public scrutiny around cultural belonging.
Despite the controversy, Latto continues to dominate with chart-topping hits and a Grammy nomination under her belt. Rather than back down, she leans into the moment with confidence. Further proving that controversy doesn’t define her—it fuels her presence. As she gears up to release new music, this moment is less a misstep and more a reflection. Specifically of how today’s artists are increasingly unafraid to spark cultural conversations, even if they come with backlash.