No Doubt has pulled the music video for their new single from YouTube, following criticism that the clip was offensive to Native Americans.
The pop rockers debuted the Wild West-themed video for Looking Hot, the second single to be lifted from the group's comeback album, Push and Shove, on Friday.
In the promo, lead singer Gwen Stefani is seen wearing Native American-styled clothing, while fighting cowboys (bandmates Adrian Young and Tom Dumont) and dancing around teepees.
Shortly after the Melina Matsoukas-directed video debuted, fans lit up YouTube with comments that the clip was mocking Native American culture.
"This video is very insensitive and very discourteous. Stefani, you have disrespected and slighted the entire Native American people with your counterfeit portrayal of our heritage," one user wrote, according to the Indian Country Today Media Network.
"The way you pranced and frolic around, dressed in so called Native American attire, is a mockery of our way of life and culture. You have also debased all Native American women. The word squaw is very insulting and demeaning to me and all Native American women."
Wrote another: "It has nothing to do with intent. whether they intended it to hurt or not, it's irrelevant because it's still trivialising and appropriating the culture. it hurts. thats it. this is hurtful to Native American communities. Very simple."
While a fan named Margaret "Emmy" Scott took to the group's official website to vent her frustration over the imagery used in the video.
"The media imagery of our people does affect minds and attitudes not just of the predominant culture's view of us but the self-esteem of our own young people. ...We are not a trend and we are not a fashion statement. We are human beings, we are nations, and we deserve respect," she wrote.
'WE SINCERELY APOLOGISE'
On Saturday, the group yanked the video from YouTube, and issued an apology to the Native American community.
"As a multi-racial band our foundation is built upon both diversity and consideration for other cultures. Our intention with our new video was never to offend, hurt or trivialise Native American people, their culture or their history," wrote the band on their official website.
"Although we consulted with Native American friends and Native American studies experts at the University of California, we realise now that we have offended people. This is of great concern to us and we are removing the video immediately.
"The music that inspired us when we started the band, and the community of friends, family, and fans that surrounds us was built upon respect, unity and inclusiveness. We sincerely apologise to the Native American community and anyone else offended by this video," the statement continued.
"Being hurtful to anyone is simply not who we are."
- No Doubt
The video has now been removed from YouTube and VEVO, though it can still be found elsewhere.
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