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Katy Perry pulls shoes from her line after blackface accusations
12 February 2019, 11:42
Here we again…
Katy Perry's shoe line – Katy Perry Collections – has been accused of selling two designs that resemble blackface. The "Rue Face Slip On Loafers" and "Ora Face Block Heel Sandals" are being pulled from stores because of the backlash over the "offensive" shoe, TMZ reports.
The loafers come in nude and black, while the high-heeled version come in gold and black. However, it's the black design that is being called problematic because it looks a lot like historic blackface makeup. Both feature blue eyes, a gold triangular nose and bright red lips.
People have been dragging the brand for selling the shoes, especially following the Gucci blackface controversy just last week.
Ok Katy Perry explain these shoes SMH #blackface #KatyPerry #gucci #gucciblackface #boycott pic.twitter.com/j0dswNOSoH
— ChantillyCoco (@ChantillyCoco) February 11, 2019
@katyperry are you actually serious right now?! blackface on a SHOE?? what is WRONG with you pic.twitter.com/x3J6ZKPvxc
— Daniel 🌺🌆 (@daniellovesyooh) February 10, 2019
Regarding Katy Perry’s shoes; if you have to second guess whether a design is blackface/racist...it probably is. “Reaching” or not, information is too readily accessible for this to occur. #DoBetter
— Tia (@TiaHasTime) February 11, 2019
Wassup with white people and blackface?🤦🏾♂️ #KatyPerry #gucci #blackface #BlackTwitter pic.twitter.com/26vfmRg9AZ
— IG:@wholelxttvred (@VYISWORLD) February 11, 2019
Now Katy Perry got blackface shoes 🙄 all these different designs out here I have no other choice than to believe they doing this stuff on purpose
— piggy (@danae_33) February 11, 2019
Ignorance is Never A fashion statement! Apology NOT accepted😡#blackface #Gucci #gucciblackface #prada #moncler #katyPerry pic.twitter.com/KDCnkzGlgA
— Kieren Boyce (@ThatGyrlKieren) February 10, 2019
[TW: racism]
— Tipsy Village Witch ✨🔮 (@Chuck_Normis) February 11, 2019
People are mad about the Katy Perry blackface shoe incident and saying it isn’t racist but like...
Compare it to past black face figurines and tell me it isn’t strikingly similar lmao.
I’m glad she pulled them. She already has a bad past with being racist so... pic.twitter.com/asJ18l3Wcf
However, others have argued that because the shoes come in multiple colour ways it probably isn't blackface or intended to be offensive.
PEOPLE CRITICIZING KATY PERRY FOR HER SHOES
— • (@darkperrysk) February 12, 2019
ME: pic.twitter.com/A7c6h3hrDJ
I am totally against blackface but this is NOT blackface. Just because its a BLACK shoe with FACIAL FEATURES on it doesnt mean she was “making fun of black people” seriously think about that for a second
— emily loves shawn (@hunters_smiless) February 11, 2019
If you see racism or blackface on these shoes let me tell you that you need mental help.
— Goro Majima (@MadMajima) February 11, 2019
And I’m completely sure that people would complain if the shoes didn’t have a black version!!.
Stop complaining about everything, damn it!!.
Grow up!! 🤦🏻♂️#ThisIsWhatIThink #KatyPerry pic.twitter.com/2iOxjyIJkE
ARE YOU KIDDING ME LMFAO KATY PERRY'S UGLY ASS " BLACKFACE " SHOES, THAT COME IN DIFFERENT COLORS WITH THE EXACT SAME WEIRE FACE ON IT, IS GETTING HER BACLASH. NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL REACHING LMAO. IT'S A BLACK SHOE WITH A FACE, NOT A BLACKFACE ON A SHOE LMAO. pic.twitter.com/2nGDT9G0YC
— relatable. (@Spooktunez) February 12, 2019
The shoes will now reportedly be pulled from shelves after the backlash, with a source telling TMZ: "In order to be respectful and sensitive the team is in the process of pulling the shoes."
The controversy comes after Gucci apologised for selling a jumper featuring similar bright red lips. After a slew of comments the luxury brand pulled the sweater and promised to increase diversity within the company to ensure it doesn't happen again. Meanwhile, a number of celebrities including Spike Lee and T.I. insisted they would never wear Gucci again.
