No Doubt is not “Looking Hot” on YouTube.
Gwen Stefani’s reunited band decided to pull their latest video from the video-sharing site on Saturday after some complained that it was offensive to Native Americans. (It’s still available on an unofficial Vimeo account.)
The video was heavily laden with Native American imagery, including tepees, smoke signals, and Stefani draped in a feathered headdress. At one point, a bandmate dressed in cowboy gear aims a gun at Stefani while her wrists were bound over her head.
“[T]his is hurtful to Native American communities, very simple,” wrote one commenter in a no Doubt forum, summarizing the general sentiment surrounding the video.
On Saturday, No Doubt posted an apology note on its website. The band claimed the video wasn’t intended to “offend, hurt, or trivialize” the Native American culture. The band also consulted Native American experts to ensure sensitivity.
“The music that inspired us when we started the band, and the community of friends, family, and fans that surrounds us was built upon respect, unity and inclusiveness,” the band wrote.
“We sincerely apologize to the Native American community and anyone else offended by this video. Being hurtful to anyone is simply not who we are.”