How could something as sweet as a sunflower cause controversy?
Alas, it can!
One of Katy Perry outfits worn during her Prismatic World Tour has caused division among her fans in China and Taiwan.
The sunflower-adorned costume (above) — which features sunflowers right on Katy’s boobs, of course — has been interpreted by some as a pro-Taiwanese message and a show of solidarity for the Sunflower Student Movement.
The Sunflower Student Movement was a student-led protest against the passing of the Cross-Strait Service Trade Agreement (an economic treaty meant to make trade between mainland China and Taiwan easier) that occurred from March 18 to April 10, 2014.
[ Related: Katy Sure Turned Heads In THIS Costume ]
Consequently, the protest movement celebrated its one-year anniversary just a few weeks ago, which makes the timing of this sunflower ensemble all the more significant.
Considering that Katy also wore the flag of Taiwan (which was given to her by an audience member) as a cape during a performance in Taipei two days ago, it makes sense that some people would find her use of sunflowers to be a further statement in support of Taiwan’s independence from China.
However, the 30-year-old has worn the sunflower costume before (you can see sunflower props onstage during a show in 2014 in the gallery above). And, in fact, the photo above was taken during her performance in Shanghai, China on April 22.
Furthermore, the use of the Taiwanese flag may have simply been Katy’s way of acknowledging her Taiwanese fans rather than a political message.
Meanwhile, Chinese fans are less than pleased, and some wonder if she’ll be banned from China because of this.
Writing on Weibo (China’s version of Twitter) one fan said:
“I’m speechless over Fruit Sister [Katy’s nickname in China]. I suppose she has no chance to come to the mainland anymore, though she might not care. These performers who intervene in other countries’ politics are the most annoying.”
The Dark Horse singer herself has yet to comment on the matter, but her fans in Taiwan have expressed delight at her possible show of support.
BEST OUTFIT (R.O.C) 👗👍🏻👗👍🏻👗 #KatyPerry#theprismaticworldtour#PrismaticTaipeiA photo posted by @jeremy_yang_ on Apr 28, 2015 at 12:11pm PDT
[Image via AP Images.]
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