The video shows human Swift facing off against a naked cyborg version of herself — or the other way around, depending who you ask. Either way, the glass-encased Taylor sports a nude-coloured bodysuit that's eerily reminiscent of the one Scarlett Johansson wore for her role as Major Motoko Kusanagi in this year's Ghost in the Shell — you know, that film the caused a shitstorm of controversy by casting a white woman as a Japanese character.
Folks on Twitter were quick to notice the similarities and have been voicing their concerns on the social media platform since Swift teased the video on Instagram earlier this week.
Now that the full music video has been unleashed, the criticism of a white woman ripping off a white woman that ripped off an Asian character is growing louder.
See a selection of responses to the "…Ready for It?" video below.
How the fuck did we end up with a whitewashed Ghost in the Shell TWICE?!? pic.twitter.com/xKyJND1TAj
— The Kidd but spooky (@BadnewKidd) October 24, 2017
so ghost in the shell just gunna be whitewashed twice pic.twitter.com/KsYSJi1PoW
— spooky lexi (@prettymxhlosers) October 24, 2017
Confirmed: At least one person liked Ghost in the Shell#TaylorSwift pic.twitter.com/de7GDIAHrI
— Josh K. Elliott (@joshkelliott) October 23, 2017
I thought everyone made it clear that we don't want white people dressing up as The Major from Ghost in the Shell. pic.twitter.com/6pIWJgtvdO
— Christopher L. Inoa (@ChrisLInoa) October 24, 2017
Society: 'Ghost in the Shell was Hollywood white washing'
— Joe (@JoebiWan94) October 24, 2017
Taylor Swift: 'My music video is going to be me rapping in Ghost In The Shell'
I didn't think 2017 could get more white but then Taylor Swift made a music video dressed like Scarlett Johansson in Ghost in the Shell
— Julia Hansen (@julhansen3) October 25, 2017
Sooo is Taylor Swift playing Scarlett Johansson playing Major Motoko Kusanagi in Ghost In The Shell but in the #ReadyForIt MV now? 🤔
— Kevin J. Nguyen (@kevinjnguyen) October 27, 2017
I am so confused by Taylor Swift's Ghost in the Shell remake. Is she trying to show us the whitewashing could have been way worse?
— Thunder⚡Alex (@AMonsterLewis) October 27, 2017
extremely on brand of Taylor to model most of that video around the Ghost in the Shell movie that everyone hated b/c whitewashing
— 🎃 Reese's Pieces 🎃 (@EricRees) October 27, 2017
Upcoming album Reputation is due out November 10, and is available for pre-order now via Umusic.
