Amy Schumer called 'racist' for Beyoncé parody, takes off top

  • 26/10/2016
Amy Schumer (Reuters file)
Amy Schumer (Reuters file)

Amy Schumer is brushing off criticism of her Beyoncé parody video by posing topless for a racy photo.

The Trainwreck star took on the singer's hit 'Formation' with fellow actress Goldie Hawn in a video that has been derided as a "racially insensitive mess".

The original Beyoncé video included depictions of black pride, police brutality and racism. It was criticised by right-wing pundits as having an "anti-police message".

Schumer's version has her, Hawn and other women dancing and lip-synching in a series of locations including a farm, a jungle, a boat and a subway.

On YouTube, the clip currently has more than twice as many dislikes as it has likes.

"Racist... culturally appropriating other people's creations... you steal a song specifically representing empowerment of marginalized black women & mock the song?" writes one commenter.

"You are literally what's wrong with society. You should be ashamed of yourself. So disgusting. "

In response, Schumer stripped down to her knickers for an Instagram post, using the caption to refer to herself as "bitch".

She insisted the video was a "tribute" about "women inspiring each other".

Some media have also pointed out that Schumer and Hawn wear T-shirts that say 'Texas Bama' in the video, described as "a racially complex term historically used in a derogatory manner".

Other commenters have come to Schumer's defence, however.

"I do not see any racism being portrayed," wrote one.

"Watching this, anyone can clearly tell that she is on set with her crew and cast and they decided to have fun with a popular song. You can tell she was trying to show empowerment of her mainly female cast and was in no way trying to undermine the Black Lives Matter movement."

The controversy comes little more than a week after hundreds of people stormed out of a Schumer stand-up gig when she made anti-Donald Trump remarks.

Newshub.