Reasons Behind Katy Perry’s Ban in China: Analyzing Her 2015 Performance in Taiwan

Millions of Katy Perry fans worldwide were left stunned when the pop star was barred from performing at the 2017 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in Shanghai, China.

The “Firework”singer faced an indefinite ban from China, alongside other stars such as Gigi Hadid, who were scheduled to appear at the event. An exclusive report by Page Six in November 2017 revealed that Katy Perry applied for a Chinese visa but was denied entry by Chinese authorities.

According to Page Six, the ban stemmed from a 2015 concert in Taipei, Taiwan, where Katy Perry wore a glittery sunflower dress. This outfit sparked controversy, as the sunflower had been adopted as a symbol of protest by anti-China supporters the previous year.

Katy Perry Holds 'Prismatic' World Tour Concert In Shanghai (Image via Getty Images, Jie Zhao/Corbis) — Katy Perry Holds ‘Prismatic’ World Tour Concert In Shanghai (Image via Getty Images, Jie Zhao/Corbis)

Additionally, Katy Perry waved a Taiwanese flag during the concert to express support for the nation, which has been advocating for its independence for years.

Chinese officials reportedly scrutinize the social media accounts of celebrities who seek to enter their country. Access is denied if any offensive content is discovered. For example, Gigi Hadid’s visa was rejected due to an Instagram video in which she mimicked Buddha while holding up a Buddha-shaped biscuit.

Other celebrities also barred from attending the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in China included Kate Grigorieva, Irina Sharipova, and Julia Belyakova. Katy Perry was replaced by Harry Styles for the event.

Maroon 5, Like Katy Perry, Also Denied Entry to China in 2015

Maroon 5 Live in Concert at Northwell at Jones Beach Theater (Image via Getty Images, Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Live Nation)

Maroon 5 was scheduled to perform at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai on September 12, 2015. However, the event was removed from their website in July. While organizers didn’t disclose the reason for the cancellation, fans speculated that it might have been related to the band’s ties to the Dalai Lama.

On July 4, Maroon 5 member Jesse Carmichael attended a birthday celebration for the Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader considered a separatist by the Chinese government. After wishing the Dalai Lama a happy birthday in a now-deleted tweet, the event was taken off their website, prompting further speculation among fans.

The cancellation cost the band millions in potential revenue from what was already a sold-out show. They were not the only musicians to face bans in China due to politically charged actions.

Notably, Icelandic singer Bjork was denied the chance to perform in China after expressing support for the Tibet cause during a concert in Shanghai in 2008. Other renowned artists like Bob Dylan, Linkin Park, and Kenny G have also faced similar restrictions.

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