Surprise, Surprise: PETA Goes In On Beyoncé, Jay-Z Over Luxury Kicks

Can’t say you didn’t see this one coming ya’ll…

While actress Taraji P. Hensen is getting praise from PETA for her animal-friendly ad campaign, power-couple Jay-Z and Beyoncé are in the hot seat for their extravagant uses of exotic animal skins in their footwear.  No less than 5 different animal skins are used in the making of Bey and Jay’s luxury kicks (click on the photos below for more information about the shoe).  Each pair of sneakers reportedly costs as much as $7,000 – $10,000, and an entire month to make.

Beyoncé’s “King Bey” Bespoke Sneaker

Jay-Z’s “Brooklyn Zoo” Bespoke Sneaker

It was only a matter of time before PETA made themselves one of Jay and Bey’s 99 problems.

Dan Matthews, senior vice president of PETA, had this to say about the luxury kicks:

“These shoes seem like they were made for Hannibal Lecter. Why would someone who seems to full of life allow her name to be associated with such grisly death?  The whole idea that the only way to show the world you have a lot of money is by killing as many animals as possible is moronic.  It’s like they killed Noah’s Ark for them.”

This is actually not Beyoncé’s first run-in with PETA.  The animal-rights organization has come after her before on several occasions, most recently over the bodysuit she wore for her Super Bowl Half-time Show performance.  That piece was custom-made from python, iguana, and leather.

The designers of both the shoes and the bodysuit have stood by their work and are defending their uses of exotic animals.  According to Andre Scott, President of PMK (the maker of the “King Bey” and “Brooklyn Zoo” sneaks):

“No animals were beaten, harmed or killed; everything is legal.  PMK is not harming any of the animals or dramatically killing any of them.”

Rubin Singer, the designer of Beyoncé’s Super bowl bodysuit has also asserted that the animals used in his piece were farmed specifically for that purpose.  He said:

“It’s not like they’re endangered species.  They’re farmed for the specific purpose of what they’re used for. There’s no mistreatment.”

From the sounds of it, neither Beyoncé, nor Jay-Z, plan on changing their animal-skinning ways soon!

But how do you weigh in on this controversial debate?  Do you side with Taraji or Beyoncé on this one?  Sound off below!

[Daily News]