Demi Lovato has never been shy about her personal politics. She’s an outspoken feminist and doesn’t really care what anyone thinks about it/her, and that’s great! She’s also not been shy about calling out her fellow celebs for not practicing what they preach, particularly Taylor Swift. Well, now she’s coming for Taylor again, telling Refinery29 that Taylor shouldn’t be calling herself a feminist if she’s not willing to do the work.
Here’s her exact quote:
“I got too passionate,” Lovato tells me, echoing a statement she’s made in previous interviews on the matter. “I get carried away on Twitter, and that’s what I said, and that’s that.” When asked how dismaying it was to witness a necessary conversation about the treatment of victims get sidelined by headlines about spatting female stars, Lovato is thoughtful: “Listen, there’s nothing positive that comes from pitting women against each other. There are women that I don’t get along with, and that’s fine. My thing is, don’t brand yourself a feminist if you don’t do the work. I have an immense amount of respect for women like Lena Dunham…or Beyoncé, who make amazing political statements through their work.”
While I get the general gist of what Demi is trying to say here, I don’t particularly agree with it. There’s no one way to be a feminist, and just because someone else’s way of expressing those ideals differs from yours doesn’t make them less than or mean that they’re doing it “wrong.” Do I think Taylor Swift is full of shit? Absolutely. I think she capitalizes on what will get her the most attention and wouldn’t know feminism if it smacked her in the face. But I also think that Demi needs to get off her damn high horse and relax a bit. She’s not the spokesperson for feminism, and she doesn’t get to make the rules here.
Anyway, Paper Mag tweeted about the interview (which they of course led with part of the above quote) and that happened to catch the attention of Kim Kardashian, who thought the whole thing was hilariously funny:
Demi Lovato on Taylor Swift: "Don't brand yourself a feminist if you don't do the work" https://t.co/e3nYLJgIxs pic.twitter.com/YJvLYqb3sg
— PAPER Magazine (@papermagazine) May 18, 2016
??? @ddlovato dammnnnnn Regina!!!!!
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) May 19, 2016
I mean, first of all, isn’t the quote, “Damn, Gina?” I watched Martin growing up… unless I’m missing another reference? Second of all, Kim K. needs to sit the fuck down. If there’s anyone who doesn’t know shit about feminism, it’s her, and egging on Demi’s low-key bullying shit is really obnoxious. UGH, these celebs!!
I think she is saying she is like Regina George from mean girls.
Cat face is correct. I furthermore have no idea, what Beyonce does for feminism, but ok…
In fact I think that the greatest women/ feminists are not found on tabloids and Demi Lovato sure as hell isn’t one of them. So get off your high horse, read some books and spare us your view of the world.
Feminism is the belief that the sexes are equal, and should be treated thusly. Calling out someone for not “working” if they believe in feminism shows a profound lack of understanding. Silly, hypocritical, and wrong headed. Go after your enemies, not your allies.
Regina George…the ultimate “fake-nice” character in Mean Girls. Katy Perry has also tweeted a Regina George reference, seemingly shading Taylor.
Damn white people!
“There’s nothing positive about pitting women against each other” but I’m going to call out Taylor Swift publicly and be a bitch anyway because.. why? She’s not enough of a feminist for your liking? Because of all of the women in the world, Taylor Swift is most damaging to feminism?
Seriously Demi. I’m not a Swift fan but shut the hell up and redirect your juvenile rants to towards more deserving people.
Besides, you know you are saying some stupid stuff when when Kim K eggs you on.
Spare us your 23 yr old Disney princess pampered celeb world view on who is and isnt doing the work of feminism