Demi Lovato has called out Taylor Swift and her “squad” of famous friends for presenting a “false image of what people should look like.”
In a Glamour interview published Tuesday, the singer brought up unrealistic body image while criticizing Swift for branding herself a feminist without doing “the work” to actually be one.
“Talking about it at all is doing the work. And I think every woman does her part in some way. But I think in certain situations, certain people could be doing more if they’re going to claim that as part of their brand,” Lovato said. “To be honest, and this will probably get me in trouble, I don’t see anybody in any sort of squad that has a normal body. It’s kind of this false image of what people should look like. And what they should be like, and it’s not real.”
Swift’s “squad” includes Gigi Hadid, Karlie Kloss, Selena Gomez, Lily Aldridge, Cara Delevingne, Jaime King, Martha Hunt and Ellie Goulding. The reporter conducting the interview noted “there are many kinds of ‘normal’ bodies,” but agreed “there’s just one type of body in that squad.”
“It’s not realistic,” Lovato said. “And I think that having a song and a video about tearing Katy Perry down, that’s not women’s empowerment. We all do things that aren’t, but I have to ask myself, Am I content with calling myself a feminist? Yes, because I speak out.”
Swift’s “Bad Blood” music video featured a number of famous friends, and fans speculated the song was written about Perry, but Swift has never confirmed.
In February, Lovato called out Swift for not supporting Kesha in her legal battle against Dr. Luke, since Swift had proclaimed herself a feminist. “I’m also ready for self-proclaimed feminists to start speaking out or taking action for women’s rights,” Lovato had tweeted.
Although Swift donated $250,000 for Kesha’s court costs, Lovato tweeted, “Take something to Capitol Hill or actually speak out about something and then I’ll be impressed.”
Swift’s rep has not yet responded to TheWrap’s request for comment.