Avril Lavigne posted her latest music video, “Hello Kitty,” on Tuesday, and it has already stirred up controversy.
According to New York Daily News, the video features Lavigne in a bright pink cupcake tutu as she dances around Tokyo with a group of Asian girls in matching outfits.
Critics were quick to comment on the new video, with some calling it racist.
"[This] video is an embarrassment in any language," Billboard magazine's Jason Lipshutz wrote.
Entertainment Weekly writer, Darren Franich wrote: "There are serious questions about whether it's offensive [expressionless Asian dancers, Tokyo-as-prop], or offensively obvious (this one's for you, large Japanese fanbase!)."
Fans also took to Twitter to write their opinion of the singer’s new video:
Hey Avril Lavigne, Gwen Stefani called and wants her music video ideas back! And she says to quit being racist.
— Kandyce (@Psycho_Thrills) April 23, 2014
I'm not sure which makes it harder to watch the new Avril video: that it's offensive and racist or just weird.
— Matt Hisamoto (@matthisamoto) April 23, 2014
“Hello Kitty” has been taken down from Youtube, but a rep told MTV News the reason behind the deleted video was because it was posted too early (it was schedule to go live on April 23).
You can catch the music video, however, on Lavigne’s website.
What do you think of the music video – offensive or cool? Sound off in the comments!