Watch CBS News

Amy Schumer pens essay defending her “Formation” spoof

Amy Schumer stands by her version of Beyonce’s “Formation” music video, despite the avalanche of controversy and criticism it has brought her. 

The video that so many took issue with featured Schumer lip-syncing and dancing along to the Beyonce track with co-stars Wanda Sykes, Joan Cusack and Goldie Hawn, among others. 

Charges of racial insensitivity soon followed the release of the clip -- charges Schumer initially brushed off. But as the week wore on, the “Trainwreck” star clearly felt it necessary to offer a more serious response. 

Amy Schumer has more to say about her “Formation” video that shows her singing and dancing to the Beyonce song alongside Goldie Hawn, Wanda Sykes and Joan Cusack.

“If you watched it and it made you feel anything other than good, please know that was not my intention,” Schumer wrote in an essay published on Medium Friday, adding that she’d obtained the approval of both Beyonce and Jay Z before releasing it.

“You have every right to feel however you feel about the video and me, but I want you to know I’m not going anywhere,” she concluded. “Use whatever hashtag you like. My mission is to continue to work as hard as I can to empower women and make them laugh and feel better and I won’t let anything stop me.”

Goldie Hawn and Amy Schumer Get In Formation by Amy Schumer on YouTube
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.