The UK’s advertising watchdog discovered that the singer’s new album’s title made clear reference to a swear word and that the image and title connected sexuality to a sacred symbol.
Polydor Records claimed that the artwork was not offensive and was intended to promote the album.
There were four complaints about the poster.
After four days, it was taken out.
The “image of Ms. Lovato bound up in a bondage-style outfit while lying on a mattress shaped like a crucifix” received complaints, according to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
It went on to say that the singer was “in a position with her legs bound to one side that was reminiscent of Christ on the cross.”
The ASA found that the poster “likely to be viewed as linking sexuality to the sacred symbol of the crucifix and the crucifixion” along with the album title, which is a pun on a swear word. It stated that this was likely to be deeply offensive to Christians.
Demi Lovato’s eighth album, due out in August 2022, chronicles her difficult journey through mental health issues, alcohol and drug addiction, treatment, and recovery.
In December 2021, she began writing it after a voluntary stint in rehab, and she told the BBC: I no longer listen to pop music. This album is rock.”
In religious circles, the singer is not the first to cause controversy. When the Like a Prayer video by Madonna was released in 1989, Christian organizations deemed it to be blasphemous.
It showed the singer kissing a black Christ-like figure in a church while dancing around burning crosses. Her Erotica video was banned from the Vatican in 1992, and it could only be shown at night.
Additionally, the ASA received complaints regarding the reckless placement of the album promotion poster for Demi Lovato where children could see it.
Before being taken down on August 23, 2022, it had been erected in six locations throughout London.
The ASA discovered that the album’s title implied a swear word to the majority of readers.
The ASA “considered that the ad was likely to result in serious and widespread offense and had been targeted irresponsibly” because the poster was visible to children in a public area.
Universal Music Operations Ltd.’s Polydor Records said that before publishing the poster, they checked with Brotherhood Media to make sure it was okay to run on the suggested sites. It stated that Polydor had proceeded based on the assurance that it was provided by the agency.
