One Direction has found themselves under fire by PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) for their use of animals in their "Steal My Girl" music video, including chimps, lions, sheep, and flamingos. However, they're far from the first musicians to feel the heat from the famously outspoken organization. Here are 10 more artists who have been criticized by PETA.
1. Katy Perry
Perry's music video for her 2013 hit "Roar" was criticized by PETA for using a number of exotic animals, which the organization claims are treated cruelly when trained for entertainment purposes.
2. Britney Spears
Britney Spears has found herself under fire by PETA on more than one occasion: her 2001 VMA performance with a python and a caged tiger predictably stirred up controversy, while her 2008 music video for "Circus" faced the same criticism as Katy Perry's "Roar" in its use of exotic animals.
3. Faith No More
The alternative metal band caught some flack from PETA back in 1990 for the music video to their hit "Epic," which features images of a fish (which belonged to Björk, of all people) out of water and gasping for oxygen.
4. Lady Gaga
Gaga's notorious meat dress at the 2010 VMAs, as well as her meat bikini on the cover of Vogue Hommes Japan, were criticized by plenty of people from a fashion perspective, but they were also criticized by PETA for ethical reasons, who said that "Meat represents bloody violence and suffering."
5. Beyoncé
Not even Queen Bey is exempt from PETA's wrath. The organization called out the superstar for a pair of $10,000 sneakers that she had specially commissioned, which were made from the skin of ostriches, anacondas, stingrays, cows, and crocodiles.
6. Chris Brown
Everyone else has a problem with Chris Brown, so why not PETA too? The singer's dog breeding business was heavily criticized, as dog breeding "prevents dog adoption, which in turn leads to an increase in euthanasia" in animal shelters.
7. Dr. Dre
In 2012, Dr. Dre designed a limited edition line of headphones covered in fox fur, which predictably, PETA didn't think sounded all that great.
8. Noel Gallagher
Noel Gallagher may be a huge Morrissey fan, but he apparently doesn't share Morrissey's fondness for animals. In 2012, the Oasis guitarist described, perhaps jokingly, how he planned on throwing stuff at cows with his two sons on an upcoming trip to Ireland, though PETA didn't exactly "roll with it."
9. Janet Jackson
In 2011, Miss Jackson was named the cruelest celebrity of the year by PETA for her fashion collection with fur label Blackglama, saying that "the animal skins she drapes herself in...are as dead as her fashion taste and her career."
10. Kanye West
In the opening line to his 2012 song "Cold" (originally titled "Theraflu"), Kanye West raps, "Someone tell PETA my mink is draggin' on the floor," which upset the organization. Kanye doesn't just own a mink coat, however; he uses fur and reptile skins in his own fashion line.
What are some other artists that have been criticized by PETA? Let us know down in the comments section!
