Avril Lavigne defends "Hello Kitty" video, says it's not racist

Avril Lavigne is responding to claims that her new "Hello Kitty" video is racist for its portrayal of Japanese culture.

In the clip, Lavigne, surrounded by candy, dons a cupcake tutu as she sings alongside Asian dancers, plays air guitar and drinks sake. Not everyone was happy with the clip, with some expressing their dislike for it on social media.

Now Lavigne is chiming in on the criticism, writing on Twitter: "RACIST??? LOLOLOL!!! I love Japanese culture and I spend half of my time in Japan. I flew to Tokyo to shoot this video......specifically for my Japanese fans, WITH my Japanese label, Japanese choreographers AND a Japanese director IN Japan."

The song, co-written with Lavigne's husband Nickelback frontman Chad Kroeger, appears on the 29-year-old singer's latest studio release. She told CBS News last fall that "Hello Kitty" was one of her favorite songs on the album.

Tell us: Do you think the video is racist?