Katy Perry's ‘blackface’ shoes to be pulled from shelves after outcry
Just days after Gucci was forced to halt production on a range of sweaters accused of being blackface, a range of shoes by singer Katy Perry has angered fans for apparently pulling the same trick.
Although the shoes come in both beige and black, it is the darker pair that has been getting all the attention.
The shoes, which are part of the star's 2017 range, feature protruding eyes, a nose and full red lips.
They have been compared to blackface and were slammed by some on social media who said it mimicked the racist practice of light-skinned people painting their face to appear black.
The shoes are available on Katy's website and at several retailers around the world.
A source close to Katy told TMZ the shoes were not intended to be offensive; but they had decided to pull the shoes from stores anyway.
“In order to be respectful and sensitive the team is in the process of pulling the shoes," the source added.
Katy has yet to respond to the outcry but the debate around the shoes continued on social media.
If you are being traumatized by shoes you need to be in a mental institution. Who cares about these shoes? They're ugly. #KatyPerry #BlackFace pic.twitter.com/ug4QLIgt9Y
— American Massage (@chadwick_el) February 12, 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
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
That’s not blackface. It’s just tacky. pic.twitter.com/hvOCfy7X1O
— Resendez jr (@CosmoJames) February 11, 2019
*Logs on*
— You got me ALL the way fucked up (@Hey_INeedMoney) February 11, 2019
Twitter: ”Katy Perry is selling blackface shoes”
*slowly backs out the same way I came in* pic.twitter.com/iWTL2QScuJ