Demi Lovato Album Caused a Stir in UK, Promo Banned -- Why Is It Offensive, Exactly? [Details]

Demi Lovato
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for iHeartMedia

A promotional advertisement for Demi Lovato's album 'Holy Fvck' has been banned in the United Kingdom for its potential to cause serious offense to Christians. The pop rock star's current album poster depicting her wearing "bondage" on a crucifix mattress violates the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) regulation for "linking sexuality to the sacred emblem of the cross and the crucifixion."

The ASA explained that Demi's appearance "bound up in a bondage-style outfit whilst lying on a mattress shaped like a crucifix, in a position with her legs bound to one side which was reminiscent of Christ on the cross, along with the reference to 'Holy Fvck', which in that context was likely to be interpreted as linking sexuality to the sacred symbol of the crucifix and the crucifixion, was likely to cause serious offence to Christians" It stated, "We concluded that the advertisement violated the Code."

Polydor Records, a division of Universal Music, insists that they were assured it was okay to place the posters in those locations and that no offense was meant. The posters were placed in six locations around London last summer. According to Sky News, the ASA received four complaints alleging that the posters were visible to young eyes.

The regulator stated that they have instructed Universal Music Operations to guarantee that their advertisements in the future do not cause serious or widespread offense.

Lovato, 30 years old, came out as non-binary in 2021, but she continues to use she/her pronouns. The former Disney star previously preferred they/them pronouns, but she now "feels more feminine" because she is "such a fluid person."

The artist, whose Instagram bio includes the pronouns she/her and they/them, stated on the 'Spout' podcast that she's actually returned to using she/her pronouns. She added she's such a fluid person that she felt iin the past year, that her male and feminine energies were balanced.

The 29-year-old celebrity recognized that it is easy for people to "misuse" pronouns and that it is acceptable as long as they demonstrate "respect."

Lovato revealed last year that they/them pronouns helped her feel "most honest".

Holy Fvck!, released on August 19, features her embracing this darkness and the genre that established her career. And the album makes it very evident that pop-punk is the greatest vehicle for Lovato: It enables her to convey that she doesn't take herself too seriously while simultaneously creating genuinely moving music.

Tags
Ariana Grande
Join the Discussion
Real Time Analytics