Brittany Renner, the 33-year-old star of VH1’s Basketball Wives, is once again at the center of online controversy after ditching the hijab and returning to her well-known provocative style of dressing less than a year after publicly embracing Islam. Renner had previously described her conversion as a “beautiful purification process” that changed her life, adopting modest, conservative clothing and sharing her journey with millions of followers.
However, her social media now shows a gradual but clear shift back to revealing outfits, leaving many fans shocked and disappointed. Over the course of nine Instagram posts, her transformation was documented step by step, beginning in May when she appeared in baggy, flowy garments typical of Islamic modest fashion. On May 22, she collaborated with a tattoo removal company, saying, “My future self doesn’t want these tattoos anymore, I’m just going in a different direction,” hinting at changes ahead. A few days later, she posted a photo in conservative slacks and a long cardigan. But by May 30, she was wearing a bright orange one-piece that, while not overtly tight, showcased more of her figure.
By mid-June, videos showed her without the hijab entirely, sporting a new hairstyle. From there, each subsequent post became progressively more revealing until, by July 2023, Renner shared a photo in a skimpy dress that left little to the imagination, marking a full return to the style she had been known for before her conversion. This dramatic change quickly fueled speculation that her embrace of Islam had not been genuine but rather influenced by her brief marriage to Muslim rapper Kevin Gates. Many online accused her of “cosplaying a faith for a man,” saying she only adopted the religion to please her then-husband. Renner admitted in a radio interview that she married Gates on April 6 and divorced just weeks later on May 28, leading many to question whether her decision to leave the faith was tied to the end of the relationship.
Critics filled her comment section with harsh remarks, one saying, “She couldn’t get enough attention covered up,” while another wrote, “Praying for you sis, that jezebel spirit is a tough one.” Others reminded her of her past statements about wanting to change for herself and questioned why her faith didn’t last beyond the relationship, with one comment reading, “If it was really in your heart, you would still be a follower regardless of who you are with.” In response to the backlash, Renner remained unapologetic, writing on Instagram, “I don’t ask for permission or forgiveness, nor am I in the business of convincing.” In interviews, she defended her actions, saying nobody enters a marriage expecting it to end and that she simply “followed her heart,” something she believes not everyone can say.
@tiktokyoungbossKita Rose speaks on Brittany Renner divorcing Kevin Gates and taking off her hijab 🧕🏽. She calls out a trend she sees in some women and influencers: When the lifestyle slows down, they get older, and the attention fades — some turn to religion. Not always out of true faith, but hoping a man sees them as “wife material” and saves them. 📉💍
She added that she doesn’t view the failed marriage as a bad thing, but rather an experience meant to happen, and now she is taking a “90-day reset” to focus on herself and rebuild her life independently. Social media remains deeply divided over Renner’s transformation. Some believe she has the right to dress how she pleases and shouldn’t be judged for changing her mind about her faith or clothing, arguing that personal freedom outweighs public expectations. Others, however, see her actions as disrespectful, claiming she used a sacred religion as a temporary image makeover to suit a relationship and discarded it once it no longer served her.
For critics, her sudden reversion is emblematic of influencer culture, where authenticity often takes a backseat to attention and personal branding. Despite the storm of criticism, Renner continues to post confidently, seemingly unbothered by public opinion. Whether this is a genuine step toward self-discovery or simply another shift in her public persona, the debate around her decision to abandon the hijab highlights the ongoing tension between faith, personal choice, and the pressures of living life in the spotlight where every move is scrutinized, applauded, or condemned by millions watching online.
