Halle Berry Says Drake Using Her Image for His Song Cover Was ‘Not Cool’

When Drake released cover artwork for his new single with singer SZA titled “Slime You Out,” it featured a very memorable photo. The picture shows Berry getting slimed at the 2012 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.

The picture is available to be licensed by anyone from Getty and is not owned by Berry. But fans were still quite surprised to learn that the rapper never checked in with the actress about using her face to promote his music.

The news came out a day after Drake posted the photo to Instagram, when Berry somewhat vaguely posted a pink square to her own timeline with text reading, “Sometimes you have to be the bigger guy… even if you’re a woman!”

Naturally, her followers wanted to know what the star was alluding to more specifically. In the comment section, she was asked, “What are your thoughts of Drake using that picture of you for his single?”

She replied, “Didn’t get my permission. That’s not cool, I thought better of him!”

Later, she added, “Hence my post today. When people you admire disappoint you, you have to be the bigger person and move on!”

The freedom to license the photo was debated by many who didn’t necessarily agree with Berry’s point of view, but in further comments she clarified more. A second follower commented, “It’s the principle people. You get it … you get it … you don’t … ohhh well … it’s the principle!”

“Exactly!! It’s about principles and integrity,” Berry responded. “So happy many of you get that.”

Berry’s photo is not the single’s official artwork on streaming platforms. They are instead using the cover for Drake’s soon-to-be-released album For All the Dogs, which was drawn by Drake’s son, Adonis Graham.

Aimée Lutkin is the weekend editor at ELLE.com. Her writing has appeared in Jezebel, Glamour, Marie Claire and more. Her first book, The Lonely Hunter, will be released by Dial Press in February 2022.