*Ellen DeGeneres has sparked an online debate about sexism after she shared a photo of her gawking at Katy Perry’s breasts in a happy birthday tweet to the singer.
The photo, from 2013, captures the talk show host drooling over Perry’s cleavage while her wife Portia de Rossi laughs. The caption reads: “It’s time to bring out the big balloons!
The “balloons” line references a lyric in Perry’s 2013 song “Birthday.”
Fans of Perry took offense at a photo, saying that if a man did the same thing as Ellen, he would be called out for sexual harassment and objectifying women’s bodies. Some are even comparing the photo to the Harvey Weinstein drama.
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One woman posted the photo on Facebook and called for Ellen to apologize for her inappropriate behavior toward women.
“Just because you’re a woman doesn’t give you the right to objectify other women,” the woman wrote in an open letter to the 59-year-old TV mogul.
Another online user noted, “If a white, straight man did this, he’d be nailed to the wall.”
Below is a sampling of the reactions. Do you think folks are overly sensitive about this?
If a man made this joke, Ellen would lead the cries of ‘SEXIST PIG!’ https://t.co/lgXNX82Nk8
— Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) October 25, 2017
She’s obviously just having a laugh, but the issue is the double standard.
If a white, straight man did this, he’d be nailed to the wall.— 6old Digger☄️ (@6oldDigger) October 26, 2017
People are over sensitive these days for good reason, but don’t EVER compare @TheEllenShow to Weinstein. Ever.
— Lisa (@LRizz20) October 26, 2017
How is this acceptable with everything going on in Hollywood. If it was a man he would be blasted. Oh, that’s right she is lesbian. #unreal
— Jeremy Rist (@jMOTOrist) October 25, 2017
Not appropriate, regardless of gender. I’d be offended if this tweet was about me on my birthday.
— Janet (@janetcwalsh1) October 25, 2017
I think we can let this go – I’m horrified by the amount of threats – but we can’t let PC run amok. She’s hardly making an unwanted joke
— Kevin (@goldzappa) October 25, 2017
#hollywood at it’s finest. #doubleStandards are so obvious here. If it were a man, especially a #Rep man. This pic would put him in timeout
— Rebel Alliance (@TheRebelUSA) October 25, 2017
imagine the absolute uproar there would be if this tweet was from a man. Probably get dropped by the network. But no, all good “fun”.
— Pete Trujillo (@PeteTrujillo96) October 25, 2017
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