Singer Demi Lovato’s poster promoting her new album has been banned in the U.K.
In August 2022, the poster was displayed at six different locations across London. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) started an investigation after receiving complaints from multiple people.
The title of Lovato’s album, “HOLY FVCK,” was featured on the poster with a photo of her on a cushioned cross, bound, and wearing bondage-style clothing.
The ASA published its report on Wednesday, stating the issue was that “the complainants challenged whether the ad was likely to cause serious or widespread” offense and that the ad may have been “irresponsibly placed” where children could view it.
Ads for “non-broadcasting advertising” also need to “be prepared with a sense of responsibility” and “must not contain anything that was likely to” offend people.
In its investigation, the ASA determined the poster was likely to offend Christians.
“We considered that the image of Ms Lovato bound up in a bondage-style outfit whilst lying on a mattress shaped like a crucifix, in a position with her legs bound to one side which was reminiscent of Christ on the cross, together with the reference to ‘holy fvck,’ which in that context was likely to be viewed as linking sexuality to the sacred symbol of the crucifix and the crucifixion, was likely” to cause serious offense to Christians, the report read.
Psalm 25:14 says, “The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear Him, and He makes known to them His covenant.”
In an interview with Vogue in August 2022, Lovato spoke about her inspiration behind her album title.
“There wasn’t a specific approach that I had in mind when it came to the album, where I was like, ‘Oh, I want this to have religious undertones.’ It just came out in the writing process,” she said.
Continuing, she said, “I wanted to take my power back. I grew up in the church as a Christian, and I had some anger towards it. Being queer, I definitely felt like I was misunderstood. There was also a kind of sexual oppression that I felt came from the church.”