how was vanilla ice portrayed by the media?

Good read!
https://www.theringer.com/music/2020/10/6/21494291/vanilla-ice-to-the-extreme-ice-ice-baby-history-30th-anniversary

I think that if the internet had been around to the extent it is today back in 1990, then Vanilla Ice might not have come off so badly. The entire media story, at lease in the UK, was that he was a fool, poser, etc.. But now there'd be Twitter stans (lol thanks Eminem), and he himself would be engaging much more directly with the public at large through social media. On the other hand, if Soundcloud and other music platforms been around back then, would he still have taken the compromised path to fame that he did.
He did pave the way for other white rappers in a sense, because he was so totally criticised that anyone following after him had a) a model of what not to do, and b) a very low bar to get over (don't be a complete fool like this Vanilla guy).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvp9ELDix5I

The Art Of 'Cool As Ice'

The Art Of 'Cool As Ice'🕸

W.T.F. (Wisdom, Tenacity and Focus), also known as W.T.F. or just WTF, is the sixth and, to date, most recent studio album by American rapper Robert Van Winkle, known as Vanilla Ice. Originally scheduled for a 2009 release, it was officially released as a digital download on August 30, 2011, through Radium Records, executive produced by Vanilla Ice, Nick DeTomaso and Mark Mehwald.

he could have been bob van winkle. but instead, he became vanilla ice

“yo, Bloodhound Gang and Rob Van Winkle, together on this track”

"Rob Van Winkle in the conference room!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuxNq_FIvgQ