Doja Cat has built a reputation for fiery online outbursts and blunt words, even toward her fans. But on Sept. 23, her reaction to criticism over the newly revealed Vie cover art was surprisingly measured—and even empathetic.
The “Jealous Type” rapper’s fourth studio album is set for release this Friday, though she began teasing it earlier in the summer. On Aug. 20, she promoted pre-orders using a close-up photo of herself lying in a bed of roses, which many assumed was the official cover. But on Sept. 23, she unveiled a different image on Instagram, confirming it as the real Vie cover.
The artwork shows her floating in a bright blue sky, tangled in the branches of a tree while hanging from a yellow parachute. Wearing an intricate white gown, Doja grips the ropes and poses midair, suspended in a surreal scene.
In her caption, Doja explained the symbolism: “Falling in love is putting trust in the hands of yourself and others. The yellow parachute represents curiosity, happiness and adventure. Flying you towards new experiences and scenes, taking a leap of faith, and holding no bounds. The tree represents life and wisdom. Giving you a sense of safety within its branches, but the pain from the fall teaches you that those scratches can be healed. You don’t have to hit the ground. Love grows upward but more importantly down. It’s the roots that keep you steady.”
When criticism followed, Doja responded on X: “You can’t make me feel bad for a cover that has visceral meaning. The greatest armor is love and integrity. I forgive your harsh criticism but for me I won yet again for following my heart. If I was you I wouldn’t.”
She even reposted one critique from a fan who wrote, “i love you mother but this cover doesn’t match the aesthetic of the album ?? maybe it will grow on me.” Doja replied simply: “It’s the perfect cover.”
Later that afternoon, around 2:00 p.m. ET, she addressed the backlash on Instagram Live. “I’m the boss,” she said calmly. “I make the decisions.”
Doja acknowledged that disagreement is “completely natural,” but she drew a line at fans expecting her to conform to their vision. “To say ‘This doesn’t fit what I perceive her as…’ that’s not my problem. That’s a you problem,” she said. She also suggested that “some people pretend to be fans” just to create drama. “It’s not about the music for them,” she added.
Just two days earlier, on Sept. 21, Doja told CBS Sunday Morning that Vie represents her newfound comfort with embracing pop, even in songs she once resented. She admitted she used to dislike her hit “Say So,” but has since learned to accept its appeal. “Cause Scarlet was sort of this release of energy that was very different from all of that,” she said of her previous album. “I feel like I’m in a place where I want to do what I know.”
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