"Sources connected to Katy tell us these specific shoes are just part of an entire line of shoes she's designed and released … and they were never intended to be offensive," TMZ first reported. "However, we're told, 'In order to be respectful and sensitive the team is in the process of pulling the shoes.'"
The fashion world has had two blackface stumbles in the last few months, with Prada pulling a line with imagery resembling blackface in December. Just four days ago, Gucci apologized for selling a wool sweater with a red cutout for the mouth.
» 'SNL' takes on Virginia blackface controversy: 'It was never funny or cool'
Reactions on Twitter to the news were mixed, with some disapproving of the shoes.
Katy Perry 'Blackface' Shoe to Be Pulled from Shelves
— Kim Crayton 🏢 💻🎙#causeascene (@KimCrayton1) February 11, 2019
Ok, can we just make this a rule that ANY product, service or person that is NOT Black will NOT create, promote or apply any combination of BLACK + FACE
Can we just make this a thing#causeascenehttps://t.co/5fo3wMKgJp pic.twitter.com/LRFw2bW9BC
Another ignorant BLACKFACE fashion design. (GUCCI WAS FIRST). Me and my family are BURNING ALL OF OUR GUCCI AND KATY PERRY FASHIONS. WE MUST HAVE AN INSULT LEVEL FOLKS. https://t.co/bhRojHdVon
— Judge Greg Mathis (@JudgeGregMathis) February 11, 2019
katy perry is a disappointment https://t.co/ylQQXNwHi2
— ✨Ness (@Cafe_SinLeche) February 11, 2019
Wow @katyperry now too? Damn shame. https://t.co/wOERKCVQ2O
— K (@kasiaj777) February 11, 2019
Wait? What? Is this the friggin @TheOnion ?!
— Foxy Jackie Brown #TeamPelosi (@FoxyJackieBrown) February 11, 2019
Do better @katyperry https://t.co/GdrFEcP50s
So you're doing the blackface thing too. Very disappointed in you. I guess anything for a dollar right?
— Bk Mommie (@bk_mommie) February 11, 2019
You should be ashamed... pic.twitter.com/4Bjgf0hqjr
— chloe (@SCHAIR70) February 11, 2019
Others did not agree with the decision to pull the slip-ons from stores.
@katyperry why should u pull ur shoe line? No one says anything about Nick Cannon did whiteface few yrs ago or towards the end of last yr a not popular rap female singer did a whiteface on her album cover. Im tired of these 2 standards & sensitive country. People r raising wimps!
— Lis (@LisaSpisa68b) February 11, 2019
As a journalist myself, i’m shocked that something this harmless would even make a news headline. Of course an organisation like @TMZ wants to cause public outrage for free views. These shoes are not offensive. I’m with you! #IStandWithKatyPerry
— Tiffany Blackwater (@TiffanyBlackwa1) February 11, 2019
#IStandWithKatyPerry
— katy Perry info (@Jason26241191) February 11, 2019
Let's trend this to show Katy Perry that katycats got her back #retweet @katyperry
Katy Perry's shoes... of blackface? I don't get it at all. How can shoes have blackface? They're literally just shoes. https://t.co/ODmGb5PkiK
— Tyler (@hardwhitegaga) February 11, 2019
YALL TRIED CANCELING KATY PERRY FOR BREATHING, HAVING DEPRESSION, DANCING, HER HAIR & FASHION, & NOW FOR A SHOE?
— EVREN (@evrenperry) February 11, 2019
The ONLY thing yall should be talking about is how hideous the shoe, which comes in different colors, is. Not associating it w/ malicious racism #IStandWithKatyPerry
Blackface, according to the National Museum of African American History & Culture, was part of entertainment intended to denigrate African-Americans.
“Minstrelsy, comedic performances of ‘blackness’ by whites in exaggerated costumes and make-up, cannot be separated fully from the racial derision and stereotyping at its core,” according from a post on the museum’s website.
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