Katy Perry said Tuesday she was “saddened” to learn that sandals in her eponymous collection sparked complaints about racial insensitivity.
“I was saddened when it was brought to my attention that it was being compared to painful images reminiscent of blackface,” the pop star said, in a statement.
“Our intention was never to inflict any pain. We have immediately removed them.”
The sandals, which come in nine colours and are decorated with big red lips and blue eyes, were released last summer but only became controversial on social media when photos of the black ones began circulating on social media.
According to Perry’s statement, the design was “envisioned as a nod to modern art and surrealism.”