Avril Lavigne accused of racism over ‘Hello Kitty’ music video
Posted April 24, 2014 9:01 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Avril Lavigne is facing allegations of racism for some of the sets, dancing and words in her latest music video Hello Kitty.
Lavigne released the video on Tuesday. In the clip, she shouts Japanese phrases, and dances in front of a troupe of Asian dancers.
Lavigne and her dancers perform in a variety of settings, including a brightly-coloured candy store and an overtly childish and girly bedroom.
Online criticism says the video is reminiscent of Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Girls, where Stefani was accused of using Japanase women as props.
Billboard, meanwhile, said Hello Kitty “fetishized” Japanese culture.
Lavigne denied the allegations on Twitter, saying she filmed the video in Japan with a Japanese director and choreographer.
What do you think? Watch the video below and weigh in.
RACIST??? LOLOLOL!!! I love Japanese culture and I spend half of my time in Japan. I flew to Tokyo to shoot this video…