Shirin David criticizes Netflix documentary portrayal

German rapper Shirin David has publicly criticized the Netflix documentary ‘Barbara – Becoming Shirin David’, expressing deep dissatisfaction with how she is portrayed. The artist described the production process as feeling “like brainwash,” noting that she had initially granted Netflix final editing rights to ensure an independent journalistic work.

David argues that the film focuses disproportionately on her personal struggles and suffering rather than her professional achievements. She stated that she expected more depth regarding her origins and less emphasis on her emotional hardships. Furthermore, she criticized the media's tendency to define successful women through their crises, contrasting this with how successful men are often celebrated for their accomplishments.

While the rapper expressed strong disapproval of the final result and the documentary's framing, she explicitly distanced herself from the actual production team, stating she enjoyed working with them.