Tag: Celebrity activism

  • Courtney Stodden Strips Down, Enters Cage Dressed as Bird to Protest Petco

    Courtney Stodden Strips Down, Enters Cage Dressed as Bird to Protest Petco

    Key Highlights

    • Courtney Stodden partners with PETA to campaign against Petco’s live bird sales.
    • The social media star and animal rights organization argue bird sales “can’t be allowed to fly.”
    • Stodden gave an interview on Tuesday describing the collaboration as sticking together “like birds of a feather.”

    Stodden and PETA Unite to Challenge Petco Bird Sales

    Social media personality Courtney Stodden has joined forces with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) to demand that retail chain Petco cease its sales of live birds. In an interview conducted on Tuesday, Stodden confirmed the advocacy partnership, stating that the two entities are “sticking together like birds of a feather to make the company stop.” The campaign frames the sale of birds as fundamentally incompatible with animal welfare, arguing that the practice “can’t be allowed to fly.”

    Celebrity Advocacy Meets Animal Rights Strategy

    The collaboration leverages Stodden’s public platform alongside PETA’s established corporate pressure tactics. By characterizing their alliance with avian metaphors, the advocates aim to draw public attention to the conditions of birds bred and sold in commercial retail environments. The Tuesday interview served as a platform for Stodden to articulate the shared objective: compelling Petco to adopt a policy ending the procurement and display of live birds in its stores nationwide.

    Why This Matters

    This campaign reflects a growing trend of celebrity-driven corporate accountability efforts targeting the pet trade. Major retailers have faced increasing scrutiny over the sourcing and welfare of live animals, with several chains previously discontinuing sales of rabbits, reptiles, or specific dog breeds following similar pressure. Petco’s response to this latest initiative will signal whether the company intends to modify its live animal inventory policies or defend its current practices amid mounting public and organizational opposition.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What specific action are Courtney Stodden and PETA demanding from Petco?
    They are demanding that Petco stop selling live birds entirely, arguing the practice is unethical and should not be permitted.
    When did Courtney Stodden give the interview announcing this partnership?
    The interview took place on Tuesday, though the specific date was not provided in the source report.
    How are Stodden and PETA describing their collaboration?
    They describe themselves as “sticking together like birds of a feather” to pressure the company into changing its policy.
  • Roger Waters Calls Ed Sheeran ‘little p***k’ in Video Over Dropping Macklemore

    Roger Waters Calls Ed Sheeran ‘little p***k’ in Video Over Dropping Macklemore

    Roger Waters Blasts Ed Sheeran Over Silence on Palestine Conflict

    Pink Floyd co-founder and longtime political activist Roger Waters, 83, has launched a scathing attack on Ed Sheeran, 35, over the latter’s decision to remain silent on the Israel-Gaza conflict. Waters posted a short video to his social media accounts on Wednesday, September 16, calling Sheeran a “little p***k” and accusing him of doing “the wrong thing.”

    Background: Sheeran’s Statement and Tour Fallout

    The controversy erupted after Sheeran issued a statement explaining that his concerts are not a “political forum.” The statement came in response to venues reportedly informing him that opening act Macklemore would not be welcome due to pro-Palestine remarks made on stage. Sheeran wrote:

    “I would never let down the fans who had made plans, nor would I abandon the touring crew and the other support acts and musicians who rely on me for work and to make a living.”

    He added that his supporters “do not expect a political forum” when they attend his shows, saying he instead hopes gigs are a “place of safety and sanctuary, to maintain diplomacy and keep conversations open, not closed.”

    The fallout was swift. Irish singer Aaron Rowe, Finneas (Billie Eilish’s brother), Sheeran’s backing band Beoga, and Danish pop group Lukas Graham all withdrew from the Loop Tour in solidarity with Macklemore and Palestine.

    Celebrity Backlash Grows

    Criticism extended beyond the music industry. Children’s YouTuber Ms Rachel said Sheeran was wrong to be silent, while Hacks star and comedian Hannah Einbinder posted on Instagram that she hopes the Grammy winner gets a REALLY bad sun burn.

    Waters’ Fiery Video Message

    On Wednesday morning, Waters entered the fray with a video that opens with the words: Ed who? The clip shows Waters displaying portraits of his Palestinian friends, including journalist and activist Bisan Owda. He then addresses Sheeran directly:

    Hey, its just a little message for Ed Sheeran.

    There’s two kinds of people in this world, Ed. There’s people who do the right thing – that rapper Macklemore would be one of those people.And there’s people, many of them, sadly… little f…excuse me, I nearly used the f word then. P***ks like you who do the wrong thing. Goodbye.

    Waters’ Longstanding Advocacy for Palestine

    Waters has used his platform to support Palestine for years. During a 2024 appearance on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said:

    I am prepared to admit that I am in tears over Gaza every morning when I wake up. I’m only 80-years-old, I have never experienced the genocide of a whole people in front of my eyes. It’s happening every day, every day.

    In a July interview with Tucker Carlson, Waters described visiting the occupied West Bank:

    I saw the apartheid. I saw what was happening…they’ve created hell on Earth.

    He vowed to be vocal and do anything that I could to help my Palestinian brothers and sisters to achieve equal human rights. Waters claimed opponents have tried to destroy his career but added: They have failed. I fight back. He clarified his stance, stating he has nothing against Jewish people and couldn’t care less what religion anybody is, telling Carlson: Every word I’ve ever written is about encouraging empathy.