The singer Demi Lovato released his eighth studio album, “Holy Fvck”, in 2022 and continues touring to promote the work. Although the album was well received by critics and the public, it was not so well received in the UK. Over there, advertisements for the singer that appeared on some sites were banned.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the regulatory body for advertising of Great Britain, banned the poster of Demi Lovato's album. In addition, it launched an investigation into the image after receiving complaints from four people.
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What is the content of Demi Lovato's ad?
The image is a wider cut of the album cover. It shows Demi Lovato tied up, lying on a cross-shaped mattress. As a background, there is the color red, in texture similar to a velvet rug.
It reads in bold letters: at the top, “Demi Lovato” and “Holy Fvck”; at the bottom: “Available now”.
See the image below:
A raunchy poster for @ddlovato's upcoming album Holy Fvck gets banned by ad regulator. Find out why 👀👉https://t.co/TlNNkizW6E
Do you think this ad is too controversial?#Demi Lovato#HolyFvck#Advertisingpic.twitter.com/x3b7Ozn1g8
— The Drum (@TheDrum) January 11, 2023
Why was the image banned?
According to the ASA, the complainants stated that the image may cause "serious or widespread offense" and that the advertisements were placed “irresponsibly”, as children could have access to it. In addition, the singer was accused of blasphemy for choosing the composition of the photo.
“We consider that the image of Ms. Lovato strapped into a 'sadomasochistic' style outfit while lying on a crucifix-shaped mattress, in a position with her legs tied to one side reminiscent of Christ on the cross. In that context, it would likely be seen as relating sexuality to the sacred symbol of the crucifix and crucifixion, likely to cause serious offense to Christians,” the agency said.
Polydor Records, a division of Universal Music, the company responsible for the distribution and promotion of Demi Lovato, refuted that the ads were offensive. However, it complied with the decision to remove them from the sites where they were published.
Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.