Katy Perry, who was rumored to be performing at this year’s Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai, has reportedly been “banned from China indefinitely,” according to Page Six.
Sources told the site that Perry, 33, had applied for a visa but was denied by Chinese officials. Page Six reports that the singer was informed she’d be granted access, but that changed after the government became aware of a sunflower dress she had worn during a performance in Taipei, Taiwan, in 2015.
The look had caused controversy because the sunflower was the key symbol of a 2014 movement that protested a Chinese trade agreement that was seen as unfair to Taiwan. At one point of the concert, Perry also draped a Taiwanese flag over her shoulders. Though it might not have been her intention, the outfit and the flag-waving was seen as a politically charged gesture and caused uproar in China, which has had long-running tensions with Taiwan regarding its independence.
“For every artist who wants to perform in China, officials comb through their social-media and press reports to see if they have done anything deemed to be offensive to the country,” a source told Page Six. “Maroon 5 was banned a few years ago because one band member wished the Dalai Lama happy birthday on Twitter.”
This could also explain the speculation about why Gigi Hadid suddenly announced yesterday that she’s no longer walking in the VS Fashion Show. Though the model gave no explanation for her withdrawal, sources said she was also banned from entering the country over a controversial video from February where she appeared to mock Asians. Hadid also garnered backlash on Twitter when the clip surfaced earlier this year.
Victoria’s Secret has not yet publicly commented on Perry’s or Hadid’s reported bans. The lingerie brand had not even confirmed the singer’s performance in Shanghai—even with the filming days away—but rumors had spread that she had agreed to perform after pH๏τos of her apparent contract surfaced online. This would have marked her second time at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, after performing in 2010.
The VS Angels and models are expected to take the runway on Monday. It looks like we’ll have to wait until then to see who the musical acts are.