Katy Perry 'Roar' Video Prompts Backlash from PETA
Pop singer Katy Perry's video for her latest single "Roar" has sparked outrage against the animal rights organization, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Perry's single is about feeling empowered, being your best and letting the world hear your "roar." To embody this idea, the music video, which was released early this month, features Perry as a modern day Jane of Tarzan, swinging around with vines and frolicking with tarantulas, monkeys and elephants.
This does not sit too well with PETA who is against using animals for entertainment.
"Animals used for entertainment endure horrific cruelty and suffer from extreme confinement and violent training methods," a PETA spokesman said in a statement. "They often become stressed and anxious when hauled around and forced into unfamiliar or frightening situations."
In addition to the practice of using animals for entertainment, PETA is also disapproving of the company that Perry allegedly used to acquire the animals, a company long disliked by PETA.
"The Serengeti Ranch, the animal exhibitor that we believe supplied the animals for the 'Roar' video, has been inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture 22 times since 2001," the PETA spokesman said.
Back in 2010, PETA praised Perry for her vegetarian efforts with then-husband comedian Russell Brand.
"A Tofurky and some mistletoe will help to make the season bright, according to Katy Perry. She told the Italian magazine Grazia that she and her new hubby, Russell Brand, plan to celebrate Christmas by gathering 'round a pink (!) tree and extending some peace and goodwill to turkeys by dining on a vegan roast," Alisa Mullins, a PETA writer wrote. "What a coincidence-my family plans to do the same thing (except for the pink tree part). Stars: They really are just like us."
Katy Perry has yet to respond, but with the huge success of the song, who knows if this type of publicity will even harm her. "Roar" sold over 559,000 copies in its first week.
"Roar" is the first single from Perry's fourth studio album, Prism, which will be released Oct. 22.
Recently, Daniel Radcliffe, star of the Harry Potter film franchise, discussed his love for Perry, who gets him quite tongue-tied.
"Mentally I am very close to Katy Perry, a lot," Radcliffe, 24, said in an interview with MTV News. "I've been in a room with her since, and I couldn't say [anything]. I was across a room from her and I was like 'I can't.' I can't even say anything. You've probably seen an interview with me, [and] you know these thoughts are in my head. I can't even look at you."