Britney Spears’ ‘Prerogative’ Perfume Promo Tweet Hooked On Brighton Pride Performance Gets Mixed Response

'The Stonewall riots did not happen to aid Britney Spears sell pond water. Soz.'
LOADINGERROR LOADING

Britney Spears has raised eyebrows with her latest tweets, which has sparked accusations of “exploiting Pride” to sell her latest perfume.

Over the weekend, Britney gave her first UK live performance in two years at Brighton Pride, where her show received huge praise from fans.

However, shortly after the event, a tweet was posted on Britney’s official Twitter account, advertising her latest perfume, ‘Prerogative’, her first gender-neutral scent, which received a much more mixed response.

The post, which has now been deleted, read: “Loved seeing so many people out celebrating diversity and inclusion for #pride here in the UK! Having the freedom to be who you want to be is so important, which is why we made Prerogative, a fragrance for ALL!!”

A screengrab of the ad, posted on Britney's Twitter, which has now been removed
A screengrab of the ad, posted on Britney's Twitter, which has now been removed
Twitter/Britney Spears

A range of responses followed, including many criticising the ‘...Baby One More Time’ singer for using Pride to promote her latest perfume, with no mention of how the product would benefit the community.

😑😑😑
PRIDE IS A PROTEST - NOT PERFUME PRODUCT PLACEMENT.
Lil reminder that there's still around 74 countries where it's illegal to be LGBTQ (to just EXIST), and about 10 countries with the death penalty for LGBTQ people.
Brit, sack your PR team, this is a SEVERE misstep. BYE. https://t.co/jxLksd6a7f

— Alex Marlow (@AlexJMarlow) August 5, 2018

If anyone wanted a great example of a brand exploiting Pride to promote product sales, this one is perfect. #eyeroll https://t.co/VfHLGd43Oj

— Lizi (@GlassesGirl3) August 6, 2018

Another stupid idea from team Britney.

She's just played at one of the UKs biggest Pride events and now they're plugging another fragrance (that as far as I can tell doesn't give proceeds to charity) by exploiting Pride...

Delete. https://t.co/fnU2nuNPXG

— Conversation’s over, hell bitch. (@lukeethornhill) August 5, 2018

Ok so just because she lip synced for her life at pride, we’re gonna pretend like she didn’t plug her own fragrance for monetary gain in a tweet describing why pride “is so important”? https://t.co/d9wLAO0rmB

— that Br0wN Kw33N (@val_thequeen) August 6, 2018

So happy to see a social movement that promotes inclusivity that I’m trying to include myself, by making money out of it! Class act Britz 🤙🤙🤙 https://t.co/rXp78jwk3e

— James Davies (@Bobgotbored) August 6, 2018

Is it appropriate to use Pride as a platform to make profit? Unless all of the proceeds go to an LGBT+ charity, I’m thinking not.

The Stonewall Riots did not happen to aid @britneyspears sell pond water. Soz 🤷🏽♂️🏳️🌈 https://t.co/aGTS7L5qga

— JM. 🐙 (@NotoriouslyJay) August 5, 2018

Can’t you say Thankyou and make a positive statement on #pride without trying to flog something!? https://t.co/SabYYEvq2L

— Nick Millward (@NickMillward) August 6, 2018

Ok so just because she lip synced for her life at pride, we’re gonna pretend like she didn’t plug her own fragrance for monetary gain in a tweet describing why pride “is so important”? https://t.co/d9wLAO0rmB

— that Br0wN Kw33N (@val_thequeen) August 6, 2018

Using the meaning of Pride to advertise a fragrance...

🚮 https://t.co/Lr0BYjxfQ9

— James Brumpton (@Jim936) August 5, 2018

ok this is probably gonna be the one and only time you’ll see me ever criticise britney (this isn’t even rly just about her tbh) but let’s have a quick chat about straight cis allies/coroporations using the LGBT cause to sell products https://t.co/yXqbbS7vdm

— TwkLGBTQI+ Nori (@TWkLGBTQ) August 5, 2018

i get very uncomfortable when i see someone express their support of the LGBT community when it comes alongside selling a product for their own profit. not only does it seem disingenuine, it reduces our identity and our community to a selling point. a target audience.

— TwkLGBTQI+ Nori (@TWkLGBTQ) August 5, 2018

to them it’s like we only exist for a month and then we’re completely irrelevant because they can’t profit from us anymore. you might have seen the term “rainbow capitalism” floating around a lot - well this is that basically.

— TwkLGBTQI+ Nori (@TWkLGBTQ) August 5, 2018

I love Britney but ..... this activism for sales is a mess whoever came up with this pre-written tweet hardly even tried https://t.co/Vx16UaOllB

— brooke🌸🦄 (@MarryTheSequins) August 5, 2018

wow love my identity being used as a selling point britney wyd https://t.co/QPG4fD2L5E

— martha (@witchyqueer) August 5, 2018

[tone deaf] https://t.co/hispmxJyeU

— Matt (@Matt_in_London) August 5, 2018

“Oh my god that Britneys shameless.” #PieceOfMeTour #pride #capitalism https://t.co/6KwUKoNvWz

— Love, Craig (@cracka1984) August 5, 2018

Pride is so important, we should all raise a toast to it! And speaking of toast, I'm releasing a range of toaster ovens, available in all the colours of the rainbow and exclusively at Currys for the low low price of £49.99! #kerching #shameless https://t.co/LydfRShHOZ

— ✨ 𝓜𝓪𝓽𝓽𝓱𝓮𝔀 ✨ (@OatcakeMuncher) August 5, 2018

On the other hand, plenty of fans saw the funny side of the tweet too...

Only Britney is allowed to do a tweet about Pride and inclusion then use it to flog perfume ok https://t.co/0qEl0OXoAU

— marcus (@marcusjdl) August 5, 2018

Sometimes I wish I could be as utterly shameless as this. I love it. https://t.co/66BuwQIRJZ

— Katus Flatus (@baronessbatz) August 6, 2018

Get that promo sis and cash in on our pink dolla 😂🙏🏼 https://t.co/7sjVnXa7n1

— Ben (@fromthedale) August 5, 2018

Me usually: the commodification of LGBTQ+ liberation movement at this moment in history borders on dangerous

Me on seeing this tweet: Britney actually spritzed the first perfume at Stonewall? We stan a businesswoman! the neoliberal queen we need!https://t.co/g37Cq8T46N

— shon faye. (@shonfaye) August 6, 2018

Never change, Britney... and why should you, with a Britney Fragrance for whichever Britney you want to be, such as Curious, Curious heart and In Control Curious https://t.co/s2gnbKpZis

— Laura Silver (@laurafleur) August 6, 2018

want this 100% iconic tweet on a t shirt https://t.co/fBOSMxdOyI

— chris (@chrisjv91) August 5, 2018

Britney threw the first bottle of perfume at Stonewall https://t.co/2q9F1W8MbK

— isaac (@iiapyx) August 5, 2018

Yaaaaaas promotional queen 💖 #BritneySpears #BrightonPride https://t.co/WmTr6VhLe8

— Jordan (@JET__94) August 5, 2018

We all knew it would be Britney that ended gender officially https://t.co/qpAvyf3Fuu

— Caitilin O’Kelly (@caitilinokelly) August 5, 2018

This funny B is using pride to sell her perfume lmao!!!! I love her so much because the funny thing is it actually makes me want to go out and buy it 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/bUs3hQSyXT

— ❄️ GABE 📘 (@gaabrielrules) August 5, 2018

Prior to her performance at Brighton Pride, Britney announced that a limited edition version of her ‘Fantasy’ perfume had gone on sale, a portion of the sales from which would go to GLAAD, formerly known as the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation.

Looking forward to celebrating love and equality at @PrideBrighton tomorrow!! To help kick off the celebration, there's a special #Pride Edition of Fantasy available now at @superdrug stores in the UK! pic.twitter.com/GlLpI7sMrD

— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) August 3, 2018

There was also a float in the Brighton Pride parade promoting the perfume and “supporting diversity and inclusion”, while free wristbands scented with ‘Prerogative’ were also dished out at Preston Park on the day.

After the event, Britney shared a video from the show, noting: “Brighton Pride.... all 57,000 of you are perfectly beautiful. Heard it was a record breaking turnout!!! Thank you for a fabulous show...my fabulous fans. I love you all.”

Brighton Pride.... all 57,000 of you are perfectly beautiful. Heard it was a record breaking turnout!!! Thank you for a fabulous show...my fabulous fans. I love you all 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈 pic.twitter.com/Os1dxf5R52

— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) August 4, 2018

Earlier this year, Britney won the Vanguard Award at the annual GLAAD Awards in LA, where she made headlines with her heartfelt acceptance speech.

Britney at the GLAAD Awards back in April
Britney at the GLAAD Awards back in April
J. Merritt via Getty Images

I feel like our society has always put such an emphasis on what’s normal, and to be different or unusual is seen as strange,” she said during the ceremony. “But to be accepted unconditionally and to be able to express yourself as an individual through art is such a blessing.

“Events like this, the one we are attending here tonight, show the world that we are not alone.

“We can all join hands together here and know that we are all beautiful, and we can lift each other up and show our gifts without hesitation.”

Close

What's Hot