Katy Perry has come under fire following a distasteful joke she made about Britney Spears’ mental breakdown in 2007.
The ‘Chained to the Rhythm’ singer responded to a question regarding her break between albums on the Grammy’s red carpet Sunday night (12 February). She stated: “That’s called taking care of your mental health”.
Perry furthered her remark to Ryan Seacrest, who had asked how her time off had been, saying: “Fantastic. And I haven’t shaved my head yet”.
This isn’t the first time Katy Perry has referenced Britney Spears’ public breakdown. In another interview discussing her hair, Perry said, “It’s like the last colour in the spectrum I can do – I’ve done all of them and the only thing left to do is shave my head, which I’m really saving for a public breakdown. I’m down for that. I’m almost moments away from that, obviously.”
Katy Perry’s comments triggered an outcry from Spears fans, with many of them taking to Twitter to scrutinize her words and voice their opinions on the matter.
One fan wrote: “We’re demanding you issue an apology to Britney Spears. 1500 minimum. MLA Format. Submitted via Instagram. Due by midnight.”
We’re demanding you issue an apology to Britney Spears. 1500 words minimum. MLA Format. Submitted via instagram. Due by midnight. @katyperry
— Cody (@codyspearz) February 13, 2017
Another fan said: “Have always liked Katy Perry very much, have even met her. But after what she said last night, I’ve lost a lot of respect for her… Making a joke about mental health issues isn’t OK.”
Have always liked Katy Perry very much, have even met her. But after what she said last night, I’ve lost a lot of respect for her…
— DailySpears ✨ (@DailySpears) February 13, 2017
Making a joke about mental health issues isnt OK, @katyperry! ✋?
— DailySpears ✨ (@DailySpears) February 13, 2017
Read some of the angry and disgusted fans tweets below.
@katyperry U should apologize to @britneyspears. Shame on u Katy. She never shades anyone.
— Veronica (@Ashaly91) February 13, 2017
Even if it is aimed at @britneyspears . It is NEVER ok to joke about mental health, stop adding to the stigma @katyperry
— T?M (@tomjamesf) February 13, 2017
1 minute I’m praising Katy Perry for her “resist” performance then I hear her mean comments about mental health & Britney Spears. #GRAMMYs pic.twitter.com/3xk5COWAEL
— Audra Wise (@WiseAudra) February 13, 2017
When @britneyspears lowest moment is more iconic than your whole career @katyperry pic.twitter.com/6bFmuTivar
— Jean-Pierre SOUAIDAN (@JPSDN) February 13, 2017
Katy Perry’s Grammy’s 2017 performance came after those by The Weeknd and Daft Punk, Bruno Mars and Ed Sheeran.
The 59th annual Grammy Awards was hosted by James Corden, who had a disastrous tongue in cheek opening monologue. He fell down the stairs, lost a shoe, and then performed a Donald Trump rap. Watch it all unfold here.
