Katy Perry opened the American Music Awards on Sunday night with a geisha-inspired performance of her Prism hit “Unconditionally.”
The performance has sparked backlash, being deemed racist. Some Twitter users vented their frustrations and some have come to her defense.
If there is a way to adorably appropriate an entire culture without seeming a teensy bit racist, Katy perry did not find it. #yikes
— Joel Kim Booster (@ihatejoelkim) November 25, 2013
why are you dressed like a geisha katy perry. why. for what. #thisisracist like horribly obviously racist.
— Chelsea D. (@CHEL_seeyaa) November 25, 2013
Huffington Post notes that her fans spoke out in her defense, with one fan even predicting the backlash. “Cue "this katy perry performance is racist" tweets in 3, 2....” one user wrote, while another wrote “Loved the cultural authenticity of Katy Perry's #AMAs performance. She nailed the traditionally ignorant costume of a white pop singer.”
Daily News notes Perry, dressed as a geisha, wearing a kimono beside many dancers dressed in the same attire. The stage was complete with a Shinto shrine and taiko drummers. She even tweeted a photo of her microphone before the performance that had floral microphone.
“A clue to the theme of my AMA performance this evening! I will be OPENING the show & taking you on a trip!!!” she wrote.
Perry is being accused of sexualizing the Japanese culture. What do you think?
image: ABC
There has been a critical error on your website.<\/p>
Learn more about debugging in WordPress.<\/a><\/p>","data":{"status":500},"additional_errors":[]}