Why Katy Perry, Gigi Hadid, and more models are banned from the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in China

Yvette Tan
Updated

It seems China hasn't quite forgiven Katy Perry yet.

The singer has been reportedly denied a visa to China, ruining plans to perform at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, which airs at the end of the month.

SEE ALSO: Katy Perry's $9.5-million mansion will make you roar

Perry was originally slated to perform in Shanghai, according to a report by Page Six.

The article also adds that some other models, including Gigi Hadid, have also been banned or dropped out of the event.

China's grudge against Perry appears to date back to 2015, when Perry performed a concert in Taiwan in which she wore the Taiwanese flag.

Taiwan is not recognised as an independent country by China, who sees it as a breakaway state. Taiwan, which is not in the United Nations, is often barred from using its national anthem and national flag in international events too, due to pressure from the much more powerful country.

In this photo illustration taken on April 30, 2015, a local resident reads a newspaper showing US singer Katy Perry wearing Taiwan's national flag in Taipei. The intricacies of the "one China" policy may not have been uppermost on her mind, but US pop star Katy Perry caused a stir in Asia this week with her politically-charged choice of dress at a Taipei concert. AFP PHOTO / Sam Yeh (Photo credit should read SAM YEH/AFP/Getty Images)

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Perry also donned a sunflower dress to her 2015 concert in Taiwan, a move that probably further infuriated Chinese officials. The dress was seen as a reference to Taiwan's "Sunflower Revolution" which took place in 2014, a movement which saw the country fight for self-determination.

However, a letter circulating on Chinese social media website Weibo shows that Perry actually wrote a letter saying she would "observe and comply" with Chinese laws and regulations, ahead of the fashion show.

Photo: Weibi

Some people on Chinese social media site Weibo were saddened to hear that Perry would not be attending, though others were less sympathetic.

"You insulted China previously, now you want to come to China," said one user on Weibo. "Let this be a lesson to you."

"I really like Katy Perry, but I support this decision," another chipped in.

However, the brunt of anger online seems directed towards Hadid, with many saying she had "no right" to visit China.

The model caused a backlash after a now-deleted video circulated on Chinese social media, showing Hadid squinting her eyes to mimic a Buddha doll. People in China were horrified by the move and had accused her of making fun of Asians.

The Victoria's Secret Fashion Show will air in the United States on Nov. 28 at 10/9C on CBS.

WATCH: A floating 'island of trash' has surfaced in the Caribbean