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Fashion influencer Nicky Campbell sparked backlash from Dionne Warwick fans after he used a derogatory term to reference the 85-year-old singer
Campbell recently posted a review of the celebrity looks worn to the Billboard Women in Music event and criticized Warwick’s slippers
The reviewer and stylist was also previously called out by actress Holland Taylor after he shared his opinion on her 2024 Emmys outfit
Influencer and stylist Nicky Campbell is facing scrutiny after criticizing Dionne Warwick for her recent public outing.
Over the weekend, Campbell, who is most known for his unfiltered red carpet fashion commentary, posted a new video of his thoughts on the outfits worn to the star-studded Billboard Women in Music ceremony on April 29.
Campbell started the clip by criticizing Warwick’s decision to wear slippers to the event, however, it was his reference to the 85-year-old singer as “Bitch” that set off many of her fans.
“Not the B word (even in this context) when referring to an elder… not feeling that,” one Instagram user wrote, with another writing, “Watch ya mouth when it comes to Ms. Warwick.”
The disbelief was also felt on TikTok. One comment under his post read, “TOO comfortable,” and another, “Dionne Warwick slander. NEVER.”
On May 4, Campbell posted a video in response to fans rallying around Warwick. “I put my foot in my mouth with my choice of words. I did not mean to disrespect the Dionne Warwick. Yes, I know who this is, yes I know she’s mother. I just was surprised to see slippers on the red carpet. She’s done more for the world than I have. If she wants to do it, I’m here for it.”
Campbell then pulled up multiple photos of Warwick in gowns. “In my head this is how I still think of her. Queen goddess of the ’70s,” he explained.
“But listen, she’s going through a lot. I did not know this and I’m happy to see her standing. Health is wealth,” he added, likely in reference to her 2025 medical issue with her leg.
“I wasn’t even trying to be rude. I’m just really gay and annoying and always like, you know, ‘Hey bitch,'” he added. “Here’s what we will do. I will learn to watch my mouth, especially around icons.”
Warwick posted a video about her outfit on Instagram a day prior to Campbell’s original video.
“I am Dionne Warwick. Everybody always wants to know, ‘What are you wearing?’ Let me just say this, I’m wearing what I want to wear. How about that? And I think I look pretty nice,” she said while posing in a white suit and black lace top.
She also took pride in announcing that she does her own glam. “You’re looking at my styling team,” she said while pointing to herself. “Totally me.”
The “Walk on By” singer attended the high-profile event to present Teyana Taylor with the Visionary Award (Taylor will be playing the five-time Grammy winner in an upcoming biopic). She also walked the carpet with her son Damon Elliott and daughter-in-law Ana Netanel.
(Left to right) Ana Netanel, Damon Elliott and Dionne Warwick walk the 2026 Billboard Women in Music carpet
Credit: Amy Sussman/WireImage
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Campbell became a viral sensation when his apathetic one-word responses to the 2024 Critics Choice Awards fashion took off on TikTok. He has also pursued a number of jobs within the fashion industry, including as a fashion assistant at Vogue and a digital editor at the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA).
Warwick isn’t the only Hollywood vet he’s criticized and faced backlash for.
In 2024, he made a video about that year’s Emmys fashion and called out Holland Taylor‘s choice to wear two brooches rather than one. The 81-year-old actress did not hold back in her response.
“I generally am right with you on your takes, but do want to say that while I agree with you re: wearing a brooch — clips — which is what I wore on my suit, are usually worn as a pair at either side of a wide neckline of a gown, or a boat neck or on strong lapels. Mine are paste pieces, bought by my mother, barely twenty. An insane extravagance at about $37 — $800 in today’s money. Some paste is astonishingly good,” she commented.
“It was very tasteful,” Campbell told PEOPLE of his interaction with Taylor. “I remember seeing that and being so amazed. First that she had commented but also that it had created a dialogue. And we kind of had this back and forth that was like, ‘I disagree, and here’s why.’ We had a great conversation about it.”
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