The photo, from 2013, captures the talk show host taking an exaggerated stare at Perryâs cleavage while wife Portia de Rossi laughs. The caption reads: âItâs time to bring out the big balloons!â
The âballoonsâ line references a lyric in Perryâs 2013 song âBirthday.â
But with sensitivities running high in the wake of sexual assault and harassment claims against producer Harvey Weinstein, director James Toback, journalist Mark Halperin and former President George H.W. Bush, the image struck a nerve.
Some Twitter users called out DeGeneres for perpetuating a double standard. Others dismissed the outcry as political correctness gone too far, pointing out that DeGeneres and Perry are friends.
Reps for DeGeneres and Perry didnât immediately respond to HuffPostâs requests for comment.
Hereâs a sampling of the reaction: