Amy Schumer denies Formation video was a parody of Beyonce's video

Her initial response to criticism was somewhat lacking and so, it seems, is this essay

Amy Schumer has released an apology of sorts after sparking anger with her version of "Formation", a song about police brutality, black identity and racial injustice in America.

In “Information about my Formation”, Schumer insists her widely-panned version of Beyonce’s politically charged track was not a parody.

Schumer's surreal take on "Formation" sees the comedian dancing and twerking alongside Goldie Hawn, Wanda Sykes and the actress Joan Cusack in woods, a mall and around farm yard animals. Unsurprisingly, the video received a lukewarm reception at best. At worst, it was branded a glaring example of “tone deaf white privilege for a song about black excellence and police brutality”.

A semi-nude picture on Instagram with “you know you that b***h when you call all this conversation” underneath and a video telling fans she was “grateful for all this s**t” unsurprisingly did little to quell the mounting anger. Now Schumer has responded more fully in an essay for Medium which, while trying to explain the motivation behind making the video, skirts over the criticism meted out online. It also fits in a somewhat incongruous endorsement of Hillary Clinton.

“It was NEVER a parody,” she writes. “It was just us women celebrating each other. The video Beyoncé made was so moving and I wouldn’t ever make fun of that. There is absolutely no way to.

"While we were shooting our movie in Hawaii this summer we were all crazy for the album and also for Hillary Clinton.

“To have Goldie Hawn dancing with Wanda Sykes and Joan Cusack and Raven Goodwin and all the female writers and producers and crew from all over the world doing this together felt very powerful and right."

Her initial response to criticism was somewhat lacking and so, it seems, is this essay. Instead of addressing claims her version undermines the message of black female empowerment at the core of “Formation”, Schumer concluded her essay with pledge to continue her own mission of “empowerment” and a promise she is here to stay.

“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. Use whatever hashtag you like.”