25 Pop Culture Controversies

From Katy Perry to Real Gypsies on Runways

— October 24, 2008 — Fashion
Pop star Katy Perry is on the hot seat this morning after a photo surfaced of her holding a knife. While the image was taken several years ago, the recent wave of teen knife crime in the UK brought the controversial photo to light. This certainly isn’t the first time a magazine or celebrity has taken provocative photographs, and it won’t be the last; just a few weeks ago the world marveled as a photo of Angelina Jolie breastfeeding made it onto the cover of ‘W Magazine.’

Katy Perry is no stranger to controversy. Her first single, “I Kissed a Girl,” discusses girl-on-girl experimentation, much to the chagrin of her parents--as well as preachers. Katy Perry’s rise to stardom is largely credited to her ability to channel this controversy into success.

Click through the articles in this cluster to explore some other provocative images. There’s a collage of Paris Hilton made solely of cutouts from an adult magazine, some incredibly controversial ‘Vogue’ photo spreads and even some shocking art exhibits. Katy Perry’s knife photo has stirred up far more media criticism than most of these pieces, strangely enough.
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23
Murder News Reports as Promotion
Murder News Reports as Promotion
Controversial Ashanti Video & eCard
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22
Controversial Soccer Shirts
Controversial Soccer Shirts
The Dutch 2008 EK Football Killer T Shirt
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21
Controversial Earthquake Fashion Photos
Controversial Earthquake Fashion Photos
Chinese Magazine Closed After Racy Rubble Pics
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20
Controversial Exhibit Cancellations
Controversial Exhibit Cancellations
'Aesthetics of Terror' Axed
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19
3 Shocking M & M Ads
3 Shocking M & M Ads
Mother Horrified That M & M is Licking Himself
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18
Lace Your Feet
Lace Your Feet
Shocking New Nike Commercial
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17
Controversial 2008 Beijing Olympics Ads
Controversial 2008 Beijing Olympics Ads
Benetton: Tibet vs China, 'Victims'
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16
Controversial Celebrity Photographers
Controversial Celebrity Photographers
Terry's Room on Belvedere
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15
Controversial PR Stunts
Controversial PR Stunts
Naughty Celeb Videos That Boosted Careers
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14
Bloody Photoshoots
Bloody Photoshoots
Blood is the New Black
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13
Controversial Collages
Controversial Collages
Paris Hilton Portrait Made of Naughty Pictures
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12
Controversial Depictions of Children
Controversial Depictions of Children
Energizer Wins Cannes Lions Grand Prix
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11
Real-Life Cartoon Violence
Real-Life Cartoon Violence
'Splatter' Sparks Controversy in London
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10
Controversial Church Signs
Controversial Church Signs
I Kissed a Girl, and I Liked it, Then I Went to Hell
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9
Controversial Photoshopping
Controversial Photoshopping
Modified Tom Cruise Contest
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8
VERY Controversial Vogue Spreads
VERY Controversial Vogue Spreads
Vogue Paris Literally Flips PETA
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7
Before and After Drug Use Photos
Before and After Drug Use Photos
Shocking Anti-Meth Campaign
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6
Moms as Cover Models
Moms as Cover Models
Angelina Jolie Breastfeeds for W Magazine
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5
Cattle Branding Kids
Cattle Branding Kids
Shocking Ads Portray Impact of Child Abuse
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4
Controversial Disney Stars
Controversial Disney Stars
Vanessa Hudgens in High School Musical 3
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3
Real Gypsies As Models
Real Gypsies As Models
Vivienne Westwood Controversial Milan Menswear Runway
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2
Supermodels Gaining Weight
Supermodels Gaining Weight
Will Karolina Kurkova's Controversy Spur Acceptance?
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1
Controversial Male Teen Stars
Controversial Male Teen Stars
Daniel Radcliffe Nude in Vogue September 2008
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