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Why China has had enough of 'Fruit Sister' Katy Perry | Why China has had enough of 'Fruit Sister' Katy Perry |
(2 months later) | |
The singer is reported to have been refused a visa – but she’s far from the first western star to be denied entry to the country | |
Fri 17 Nov 2017 14.34 GMT | |
Last modified on Sat 25 Nov 2017 01.41 GMT | |
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Name: Katy Perry | Name: Katy Perry |
Age: 33. | Age: 33. |
Appearance: Blond at the time of going to press. | Appearance: Blond at the time of going to press. |
She changes her look a lot? Possibly hourly. | She changes her look a lot? Possibly hourly. |
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, actor. | Occupation: Singer, songwriter, actor. |
Where does she ply her trade? Anywhere and everywhere. Except China. | Where does she ply her trade? Anywhere and everywhere. Except China. |
What’s she got against China? Nothing. She’s banned. The Chinese authorities have reportedly refused Perry a visa to perform at a forthcoming Victoria’s Secret fashion show in Shanghai. | What’s she got against China? Nothing. She’s banned. The Chinese authorities have reportedly refused Perry a visa to perform at a forthcoming Victoria’s Secret fashion show in Shanghai. |
What did she do to upset them? She wore a glittery dress with sunflowers all over it. | What did she do to upset them? She wore a glittery dress with sunflowers all over it. |
You mean she was banned on grounds of taste? Not exactly. The dress, which she wore during a 2015 concert in Taipei, appeared to support Taiwanese anti-China protesters, who have a sunflower as their emblem. | You mean she was banned on grounds of taste? Not exactly. The dress, which she wore during a 2015 concert in Taipei, appeared to support Taiwanese anti-China protesters, who have a sunflower as their emblem. |
Was she trying to be politically provocative? Probably not – the dress had featured in prior shows on the tour – but then she went on to wear a Republic of China – ie Taiwan – flag as a cape. | Was she trying to be politically provocative? Probably not – the dress had featured in prior shows on the tour – but then she went on to wear a Republic of China – ie Taiwan – flag as a cape. |
And the People’s Republic wasn’t happy. They don’t recognise the republic and claim Taiwan as their territory. They’re pretty touchy about that sort of thing. | And the People’s Republic wasn’t happy. They don’t recognise the republic and claim Taiwan as their territory. They’re pretty touchy about that sort of thing. |
Have any other entertainers been banned from China? Oh my, yes. Maroon 5 were forced to scrap two concerts in 2015, reportedly after their keyboard player sent a birthday tweet to the Dalai Lama. | Have any other entertainers been banned from China? Oh my, yes. Maroon 5 were forced to scrap two concerts in 2015, reportedly after their keyboard player sent a birthday tweet to the Dalai Lama. |
Whoops. Lady Gaga was refused entry to China because of her support for Tibet, as were Björk and Oasis. Justin Bieber has also been banned. | Whoops. Lady Gaga was refused entry to China because of her support for Tibet, as were Björk and Oasis. Justin Bieber has also been banned. |
What did he get banned for? Non-specific idiocy. | What did he get banned for? Non-specific idiocy. |
Fair enough. Does Perry have a big following in China? She does. Among her Chinese fanbase she is known affectionately as “Fruit Sister”. | Fair enough. Does Perry have a big following in China? She does. Among her Chinese fanbase she is known affectionately as “Fruit Sister”. |
Why do they call her that? Due to her habit of wearing fruit-themed costumes on stage, and performing with outsize fruit-shaped props. | Why do they call her that? Due to her habit of wearing fruit-themed costumes on stage, and performing with outsize fruit-shaped props. |
Does she care if she never goes to China again? It would mean a cut in income – China is a huge market for western entertainers. | Does she care if she never goes to China again? It would mean a cut in income – China is a huge market for western entertainers. |
What are her chances of getting a visa in the future? Never say never. In July the Chinese culture bureau said: “We hope Justin Bieber is able to improve his conduct as he grows up and will once again find public favour.” | What are her chances of getting a visa in the future? Never say never. In July the Chinese culture bureau said: “We hope Justin Bieber is able to improve his conduct as he grows up and will once again find public favour.” |
Do say: “Perry deserves the right to free political expression, however inadvertent.” | Do say: “Perry deserves the right to free political expression, however inadvertent.” |
Don’t say: “Stick to fruit, sister.” | Don’t say: “Stick to fruit, sister.” |
Katy Perry | |
Pass notes | |
China | |
Asia Pacific | |
Taiwan | |
Justin Bieber | |
Pop and rock | |
features | |
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