An attempt at an ironic, hipster fashion statement has left Cameron Diaz in a pickle with Peru after a visit to the Incan city of Machu Picchu. When Diaz was visiting the Peruvian Andes, she brought along with her an olive green bag with a red star on it. The famous political catchphrase, "Serve the People," was also printed on the bag in Chinese and it's this bag that is the cause of all the controversy. Diaz didn't realize that her accessory would evoke painful memories of the Maoist Shining Path insurgency from 80s and 90s and has apologized for the snafu.
"I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have inadvertently offended. The bag was a purchase I made as a tourist in China and I did not realize the potentially hurtful nature of the slogan printed on it," Diaz said in a statement e-mailed to The Associated Press.The whole reason for the actress' sojourn in Peru, is because she's currently taking part in a TV show celebrating Peruvian culture. Now, I know that I'm usually very anti-Cameron Diaz, what with her, "don't hate me because I'm beautiful" BS, but her mistake sounds exactly like a bonehead move that I could easily see myself making as well. But then again, that's why I have a policy of not getting tattoos or items of clothing with slogans in languages I can't myself speak or read. Because you never know when a translator's gonna have a sense of humor.
More photos of Cameron Diaz in Peru are after the jump.
Barbara says:
eh... i'd probably do the same thing by accident... that's why you hire people to BRIEF you on these things... don't hate the actress, hate the publicist.
Mark says:
You would think her poor acting ability would offend them more than some handbag
CU Next Tuesday says:
HA! I have this bag! Actually, it's got a little picture of Mao - but the serve the people logo is on there.
I got this at a flea market in Oakland... and you can get em on Ebay for 10 bucks.
Anyways. I will hardly go to chinatown with this fuckin thing much less traveling abroad. We 'mericans gotta think about how we reprazent yo - which is why most of us try to fake like we are Canadian.
On the other hand, if you read up on the topic, the way the Chinese see it, if they put Mao's face on key chains and bags, car airfresheners, musical lighters, ash trays ect and sell that shit for supercheap - it bastardizes everything Mao stood for. Plus those commies hired the best graphic designers in town.
Oscar says:
As the daughter of a cuban that had to leave his country because of communism she is certainly quite frivolous and un-caring. Not to Peru but to her father. She has shown she's nothing but another Tinseltown airhead broad.
Stephanie says:
Dang you Americans who impersonate Canadians!!
Her mistake was a little ditzy, but I truly don't think it was inteded at allll.
Jacqui says:
Stupid Americans... You obviously can't read and only look at the pictures.. Why would she go over there to host a show that celebrates their culture only to wear a bag that is extremely offensive to their culture? Think about it. It was obviously a mistake.
wacky says:
really, c'mon try to read about history, it doesn't do any brain damage... i.e. the americans that have the popular CHE's face t-shirt (the one that Korda took)don't use it, if you dont know anything about him. It always make my laugh when people from hollywood wears it and drive expensive cars. Do you realize that the world doesn't end in the american borders? You want to hear a very good story the Venezuelan goverment (the comunist PRO castro) gave Danny Glover 28 million dollars to do a movie because he support the "chavez philosophy". The funny thing is that he doesn't live here and the movie is about some Haitian comunist hero. It's not gonne be filmed here and the saddest thing is that the Venezuelan goverment doesn't promote their own filmmakers the biggest amunt of money that they gave to the most famous filmmaker there is 1 million dollars. I think everyone should know this so danny Glover dont go to that country and still the money.