Artist Joy Villa continued her tradition of donning a controversial dress to the Grammys Sunday night.
This year, Villa shined a spotlight on the anti-abortion movement with an all-white dress that had a hand-painted baby in a womb on the front. She also carried a white handbag that read “Choose Life.”
Villa shared details about her outfit on Instagram. She said the illustration was adapted from a painting Villa made in 2007 when she was expecting a child that she would eventually give up for adoption.”
“I believe in loving the child and the mother, and I am proudly #ProLife. There is so much pain out there, but I choose to spread love and hope,” she wrote. “I’m incredibly blessed to have given life, and I hope to encourage anyone in a similar situation to choose adoption.”
Villa added that she also hand-painted her “Choose Life” handbag, her crown was made in New York, and her dress came from nonprofit the Bridal Garden—a store that donates all of the proceeds to underprivileged minorities.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Begr0BQh-DO/?taken-by=joyvilla
https://www.instagram.com/p/Begr46mBJnw/?taken-by=joyvilla
https://www.instagram.com/p/Begr_A6hFQW/?taken-by=joyvilla
Overall, viewers did not seem to be enthused with Villa’s anti-abortion stance and most said they felt Villa was just trying to get attention.
https://twitter.com/MegAnneX/status/957778996787273728
https://twitter.com/maggiejagh/status/957778917418442752
https://twitter.com/Abellonia38/status/957778699277029379
On the other hand, supporters of the anti-abortion movement showed their approval for the dress and appreciation for Villa’s courage to wear an outfit she knew would cause controversy.
You are a bold and courageous voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Thank you and God bless you! #truth #prolife #TheGrammys
— PrayForUs (@SAPrayForUs) January 29, 2018
https://twitter.com/RobertJ_27/status/957778422633152512
Last year, Villa wore a “Make America Great Again” dress to the award show.