"It's so stupid because they want to appear so open-minded and then they're scared."
Maneskin have rejected claims that they use androgynous elements in their stage presence to attract LGBTI fans.
While frontman Damiano David and guitarist Thomas Raggi are straight, bassist Victoria de Angelis has come out as bisexual, while drummer Ethan Torchio has stated that he is "sexually free".
In a recent interview with the British newspaper The Guardian, on the occasion of the release of their new album "RUSH!" , the members of the Italian rock band have responded to claims that they have engaged in 'queerbaiting' tactics.
Victoria de Angelis categorically denied any instance of queerbaiting within Måneskin.
“There are some cases where it happens, but sometimes (the accusations) are so extreme. It's stupid for queer people, who should be fighting these stereotypes, to label it as such and create more hate," he said.
"Just because (Damiano David and Thomas Raggi) are straight doesn't mean they can't wear makeup. Or heels,” he added.
In addition, Damiano David claimed that he and Thomas Raggi are supporters of the LGBTI community.
“Everything me and Thomas do is always filtered through two people who are queer. Of course, we don't face the same things, but we live every day very closely with people in the community," the singer said.
Elsewhere in the interview, Victoria de Angelis referred to the reactions from conservative circles that the Måneskin have received in their homeland, Italy.
"They are frightened by the fact that a man can wear makeup or high heels or appear half-naked or not be straight," he noted.
This penchant for nudity caused problems last August at Måneskin's performance at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, where the band won Best Alternative Video for their single 'I Wanna Be Your Slave'.
While Damiano David wore a dog collar, booty-baring leather pants and a thong, Victoria De Angelis appeared half-naked, covering one nipple with a silver star before her top slipped down and reveal her breasts on TV.
Immediately after the bassist's costume mishap, MTV hurriedly pulled the cameras away from Måneskin and began showing several aerial shots of the band, effectively censoring the performance.
"We're too hot for American TV," De Angelis said with a smile about the incident.
“It's so stupid because they want to appear so open-minded and then they're afraid of a pair of nipples. There's this distinction between the male and female bodies and how you're treated and sexualized all the time. Everyone has nipples,” she continued.
"It's very clear the different standards that people have because I was literally naked from behind," added Damiano David.
Following the uproar caused by the censoring of Måneskin's performance during the live awards broadcast, MTV released the band's performance uncut on YouTube.
