Why Katy Perry needs to be called out for her geisha act

The pop star opened the American Music Awards in a most questionable fashion

Katy Perry
(Image credit: (Kevin Winter/Getty Images))

Last night at the American Music Awards, Katy Perry performed her new hit song "Unconditionally." From a musical standpoint it was a fine if unmemorable performance — the kind of cathartic pop that Perry excels at.

Only it wasn't the song that has people talking today; it was the "Roar" singer's questionable choice of garb and the accompanying theatrics. Perry decided it would be best to perform a love song about "opening your heart" in a skin-tight Japanese kimono designed to reveal her chest.

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Chris Gayomali is the science and technology editor for TheWeek.com. Previously, he was a tech reporter at TIME. His work has also appeared in Men's Journal, Esquire, and The Atlantic, among other places. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook.