Ghanaian filmmaker and industry veteran Jackson K. Bentum is standing firm in defense of his daughter, singer and actress Yaa Jackson, amid growing public scrutiny of her fashion style. Known for her daring outfits and online persona, Yaa has come under fire from critics, but her father believes much of the backlash is misplaced.
Speaking in a recent interview with Emelia Brobbey, Bentum challenged the narrative that his daughter’s appearance is inappropriate, arguing instead that her style is part of her craft and the entertainment world she inhabits.
“Because I am in the entertainment industry, I perfectly understand what is going on. I know most people don’t understand what is going on because they are not in the entertainment industry,” he said.
Yaa Jackson’s father emphasized that Yaa, as a secular musician, isn’t bound by the same visual expectations as a gospel artist and that dressing modestly for music videos would not align with her brand.
“Moreover, she doesn’t sing gospel songs and she can’t wear ‘kaba’ to shoot a music video. So, people should understand her. She is a shy person and I was surprised when I got to hear she is now singing,” Bentum added.
Beyond artistic expression, Bentum pointed out that much of the clothing seen on his daughter’s social media platforms serves commercial purposes. According to him, many of the outfits worn online are promotional and don’t reflect her private life.
“Sometimes I hear people complain about the type of dress she wears. From what I know, the outfits are purposely for advertisement and that isn’t who she is,” he clarified.
Jackson K. Bentum urged critics to make a distinction between performance and reality: “But if you see her wearing those dresses in town, that is when you can call and tell me she is badly dressed. Apart from that, I don’t see anything wrong with her dress.”
Watch the interview below.
