Katy Perry sparks backlash for ‘privileged’ call to reach out to Trump-supporting family members

Katy Perry has faced criticism after urging fans to call their Trump-supporting family members with messages of love and support.

The “Teenage Dream” singer backed Joe Biden for president in last week’s US election, but said that she had reached out to those who disagreed with his political stances once the election was finally called.

“The first thing I did when the presidency was called is text and call my family members who do not agree and tell them I love them and am here for them,” Perry tweeted.

Perry then added the hashtag “#FamilyFirst”, and the message: “Call your family today.”

Perry’s tweet drew strong reactions, with the pop star accused of demonstrating “privilege” and “coddling relatives who mean the world harm”.

“Those people voted for a man who incited violence and didn’t care whether marginalised groups lived or died,” tweeted The Haunting of Bly Manor star Rahul Kohli. “THEY should be reaching out FIRST to apologise and that’s the bare minimum before there can be any talk about love and moving forward.”

Actor and writer Kelechi Okafor also tweeted: “Some of you are behaving like this was a mere ‘difference in opinion’ and not real people’s lives being destroyed by fascism. Very wild to witness … This is how racism prevails because you white ‘liberals’ want to coddle your relatives who mean the rest of the world harm.”

Another person tweeted: “I know you mean well but you have the privilege to be able to do that as a white person unfortunately this isn’t the same situation for everyone.”

Others, however, argued that Perry was merely attempting to heal divisions between left and right in the wake of Donald Trump’s presidency.

“I think she didn’t phrase this well,” one person tweeted. “I think she meant that even if your family doesn’t have the same ideology or values about something you have to still love them because they are family after all.”

Another person added: “So people are now actually hating on Katy Perry because she wants unity and peace between families who share different opinions?!”

“We need more of this,” tweeted another. “Katy keeping it classy.”

A number of celebrities have spoken out in support of Biden’s presidential victory, though some have also apologised for their reactions to the win.

Eva Longoria said that she regretted her “unclear wording” after arguing that Latina women voters were “the real heroines” of this year’s election.

The Independent has reached out to Perry’s representatives for comment.

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