New Doubt: Is Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Obsession Offensive?

Heather V. Eng of The Boston Herald reports that while Gwen Stefani may think she’s presenting Asians as fashion style-setters with her Harajuku Lovers Tour, some observers feel the No Doubt singer is merely perpetuating a demeaning stereotype. “When I saw (Stefani) and her crew at the Kid’s Choice Awards ceremony, I was like, ‘Wow, what the hell is that?’” said Shirley Tang, professor of Asian-American studies at UMass-Boston. “It reminded me of that scene in ‘Austin Powers’ with the Japanese women in the roles of sex symbols. Men-pleasing roles.”