Taylor Swift debuted the music video for "...Ready For It?" early Friday morning, and it's already causing a stir.
Although the video's director, Joseph Kahn, insists the video for Swift's second single off her upcoming album is an "homage to sci-fi and anime," others are pointing out its eerie similarities to "Ghost in the Shell," which is prompting the age-old discussion about Hollywood's continued whitewashing of traditionally Asian roles in the same year Scarlett Johansson was criticized for playing the part of Major Mira Killian. And many feel the video was full of cultural appropriation.
Most Swifties are happy with the outcome, saying the video signified Taylor freeing herself from society's expectations, but tons of others are pissed at the pop star. See a sample of the backlash Tay Tay and her new video ignited in the tweets below.
5 Reasons Why 'Ghost in the Shell' Flopped in Theaters
View StoryIt's an homage to sci-fi and anime. Break open your DVD's. Nerdgasm coming.
@JosephKahn
lmao love this "homage to anime" that has chinese characters for "forever love," "taylor," "reputation," "snake year," "joseph," and "eddie" pic.twitter.com/o14RwC2PWt
@shirklesxp
Can you believe both Asian actress Scarlett Johansson & Asian singer Taylor Swift gave us 2 versions of Ghost in the Shell? God bless Asians pic.twitter.com/vkSi2fdnjn
@reggiegotlag
I didn't think 2017 could get more white but then Taylor Swift made a music video dressed like Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell
@julhansen3
The old Taylor seriously needs to come back from the dead UR MAKING ME EMBARRASSED TO SAY IM A FAN @taylorswift13
@lexxinovotny
Am I the only one who's angry at Taylor Swift's new video? This is ghost in the shell all over again
@Ilmaaq
the new taylor swift music video makes me feel like i just watched the shitty white ghost in the shell movie just smushed into 3 minutes
@purealtiago
I guess Taylor Swift in the only person that liked that Ghost in the Shell movie.#ReadyForItMusicVideo
@joepardavila
TSwift's new music video is 2 seconds away from telling me her name is actually Mira and her mom is played by Kaori Momoi pic.twitter.com/CUHKaap1u5
@ubeempress
#...ReadyForIt? vs Ghost In The Shell @JosephKahn am I doing my detective work right? pic.twitter.com/LGdg0wVv9k
@SunnySwift13
Also here's another one pic.twitter.com/EA2ju8uTfR
@SunnySwift13
And here's the exact same set as in westworld. Cyberpunk going strong. pic.twitter.com/y653lWryXz
@SunnySwift13
Another one @JosephKahn pic.twitter.com/SP6HHaZugn
@SunnySwift13
Annnnnd another one pic.twitter.com/lzKEQ0y6tX
@SunnySwift13
So far, Taylor Swift's new album seems like an identity crisis 🤷🏼‍♀️
@holidaycheer2
taylor swift has officially lost her freaking mind
@RdrReed