Ellen DeGeneres faced severe backlash from social media users after posting a birthday message to Katy Perry. The tweet read, “Happy birthday Katy Perry! It’s time to bring out the big balloons!” A photo was attached to the post that showed DeGeneres staring creepily at Katy Perry’s breasts. The message was a nod to a Katy Perry song that contains the line, “It’s time to bring out the big balloons.”
The tweet was not received well, and several users chastised DeGeneres for the sexist nature of her post. The horrible decision to use sexual innuendo in such a manner comes on the heels of sexual harassment and assault accusations against powerful men. Hundreds of women have recently come forward, outing their abusers.
DeGeneres did an entire opening monologue on her show in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment and assault allegations. She discussed the importance of acknowledging that the problem with harassment and assault is not confined to Hollywood, politics, or any one group. There was also a lengthy informational bit about the “Me Too” movement, which encouraged women to use the hashtag if they had ever been sexually harassed or assaulted. However, the sentiments made during the monologue are now muddied because of Ellen’s own behavior.
There is a major double standard that exists in matters such as these. Ironically, it was DeGeneres herself who pointed out on her show that it isn’t only a male thing. One of the arguments she made was that “part of the problem is that from a young age, girls are taught to stay quiet and be nice, and that boys are stronger and somehow we are less than.”
However, the behavior that she has exhibited on Twitter would get any man completely dragged across Twitter and every single social media platform available. There would be so much chaos, but since Ellen is a nice gay woman, there’s no harm in her sexist behavior. Sexualizing Katy Perry the way she did illustrates how powerful celebrities have been getting away with disgusting behavior.
Ellen’s wife is also pictured standing next to her, which makes the photograph even more disturbing. I wouldn’t want my spouse to publicly disrespect me in that manner. While every marriage is completely different in terms of what is acceptable, these celebrities need to start exercising some common sense and consider the message they’re sending.
Ellen often features children on her show, and many have come to consider her a role model. There is everything wrong with the tweet she sent to Katy Perry. Our society needs to stop letting people have a pass because they’re famous. The idea that just because DeGeneres is a married lesbian it’s okay for her to post sexist content needs to come to a screeching halt. Luckily, many users held her accountable and expressed anger and disappointment. There still hasn’t been an apology issued or clarification. As Ellen said in her monologue, “Hell hath no fury like a woman with a Twitter account.”
