Katy Perry dressed as a sexy geisha for her AMAs performance. There was, uh, a lot going on there: there were giant fans, cherry blossoms, a Shinto shrine, a couple of stage props meant to look like the Great Wave off Kanagawa, shamisen-playing, taiko drummers…
Perry spent a while doing poses straight off of a “sexy Geisha” Halloween costume package, and her costume was — as pointed out at Kotaku — a mix between a kimono and a Chinese cheongsam (it’s worth noting that Perry’s costume featured an ample amount of cleavage, which is not at all characteristic of either garment). A lot of people on the Internet are decidedly Not Into It, leaving us to wonder, as Jesse David Fox did at Vulture: “Was Perry’s Great Wave of Japanese signifiers offensive, simply stereotypical, or harmlessly deferential in an inert Katy Perry maximalist way?” [Vulture]In other AMAs news, Macklemore paid tribute to Trayvon Martin in his acceptance speech and called for the end of racial profiling: “Due to the fact that we are in Florida tonight accepting this award, I want to acknowledge Trayvon Martin and the hundreds and hundreds of kids each year that are dying due to racial profiling and the violence that follows it. This is really happening. These are our friends, our neighbors, our peers, and our fans, and it’s time that we look out for the youth and fight against racism and the laws that protect it.” [Buzzfeed]
And Lady Gaga showed up on a giant fake horse. [DListed]
Lady Gaga‘s new Versace campaign is out, and the campaign concept is basically “Gaga wears a very accurate Donatella Versace costume.” Says Donatella, “I wanted to capture her true beauty and spirit in images that are elegant and alluring. She is like family to me, the embodiment of the Versace DNA.” [Hello]
This holiday season, I am thankful for the uncomfortable and surly red carpet responses Harry Styles and Kendall Jenner both gave regarding their possibly budding relationship (for those of you who aren’t caught up on your Attractive Teen Gossip, the two went out to dinner last week, inviting very normal and totally healthy frenzied speculation from a lot of grown-ass adults). When asked by Piers Morgan whether he was dating Kendall, Styles responded, “No, I guess.” and also, “Dunno.” Kendall’s answer to the same query: “We’re friends. He’s cool, yeah, he’s cool.” Teens! Teens in love! What a beautiful thing. [E!, People]
- Jada Pinkett Smith posted a Facebook status about, like, souls and not being obedient and then the Internet got mad because it seemed anti-Christian. Ho hum. [Bossip]
- Here are some stunning photographs of Kris Jenner dancing about like your embarrassing drunk aunt at a Kanye West show while Kim Kardashian looks extremely irritated. [DListed]
- Justin Bieber showed up an hour late to his Auckland concert because he was busy skateboarding and graffiti-ing “Bizzle” on a wall. [Perez Hilton]
- When Aaron Carter filed for bankruptcy, he listed his English bulldog as being worth nothing. In reality, it’s worth $1,500. Thank you for the update, TMZ. [TMZ]
- JESSICA BIEL WAS NOT AT THE AMAS WITH JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE. According to the Internet, this is as legally binding as a divorce. Perhaps more legally binding. [Hello]
- Kylie Jenner got bangs! Update your hair spreadsheets!! Do you think Jaden Smith likes them? Ugh how will I sleep tonight? [Hello]
- Mick Jagger is going to be a great-grandfather. [People]
- Ariana Grande won New Artist of the Year at the AMAs, which has either placated or enraged the demons that have been following her around recently. [Perez Hilton]
- Oprah is paying for Lindsay Lohan‘s $16,800/month apartment. [Celebslam]
- Prince Harry and Alexander Skarsgard‘s Race to Antarctica (*sigh*) has been hit by heavy snow, so they’re just chilling in their base camp accommodations. [Hello]
- Real Housewives of Atlanta star Porsha Stewart showed up 3 hours and 40 minutes late to a 4-hour-long fan meet and greet. I think that might be more offensive than just skipping it altogether? [TMZ]