Katy Perry shoes pulled from shelves after ‘blackface’ accusations

Feb 11, 2019

By Herb Scribner

Katy Perry’s new shoe line will be taken off the shelves, according to Fox News.

Perry’s shoe line, which was available at stores like Dillard’s and Walmart, has faced accusations of showing depictions of blackface.

There are two brands of shoes — the “Rue Face Slip on Loafers” and the “Ora Face Block Heel Sandals” — come in both black and beige colors. The two styles appear with two eyes, a nose and red lips on them.

The black version specifically resembles historical blackface makeup. The sandal version of the shoe looks similar.

Representatives for Perry told TMZ that the shoes were a part of a broader product release.

“In order to be respectful and sensitive the team is in the process of pulling the shoes,” the representative told TMZ.

Social media criticized the shoes.

@katyperry are you actually serious right now?! blackface on a SHOE?? what is WRONG with you pic.twitter.com/x3J6ZKPvxc

— Daniel 🌆🌺 (@_iloveyoudaniel) February 10, 2019

@katyperry so this what we doing now?!?! Blackface shoes to go with @gucci blackface sweater?!?! pic.twitter.com/Yuiv1DewWH

— Wait for it…. (@BloopJustSayin) February 10, 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

Bigger picture: The criticism over the shoes arrive as other brands have pulled items resembling blackface, including Gucci, which just removed a sweater from its lineup, and Prada, which sold monkeys with big red lips.

These decisions arrive amid a national conversation over blackface. Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam reportedly wore blackface makeup, which led to a slew of other scandals in Virginia. People even commented on “Mary Poppins,” which features characters with soot-smudged faces.

Flashback: In 2017, Perry apologized for cultural appropriation. She apologized after receiving criticism for having her hair in cornrows in the music video for her song “This Is How We Do.”

“I’ve made several mistakes,” Katy said. “Even in this ‘This Is How We Do’ video with how I wore my hair and having a hard conversation with one of one of my empowered angels, Cleo, about what does it mean? Why can’t I wear my hair that way? Or what is the history behind wearing my hair that way? And she told me about the power in black women’s hair and how beautiful it is, and the struggle.”
In 2013, Perry appeared in a modified kimono outfit with a powdered face to appear like a geisha, according to The Atlantic.