Summer Walker may be winning with debut album ‘Over It,’ but some fans are over her alleged lack of warmth during meet and greets.
The principle issue? A lack of hugs.
After a number of accounts hit the ‘net, Walker is speaking up and out.
Check out what she had to say after the jump…
Taking to social media, the ‘Come Thru’ singer said:
“I just want to say to all the fans who purchase meet & greets I really APPRECIATE y’all taking the extra time to meet me and share your stories. I tell everyone individually “thank you”, I spread love, we laugh & I give genuine compliments?
now for those who’re upset b/c I don’t give hugs idk what to tell you…I’m an empath, and that transference of energy from that many people each day would literally KILL me.. y’all may not understand what I’m talking about but for example… there’s a lot of people out here faking the funk with a smile on their face like they got it together but inside your actually suffering from some sort of traumatic experience, a loss, depressed, fearful, envious or whatever the case may be BUT I CAN FEEL IT. So I ask you please respect my space in those moments ?”
For those who may be wondering being an empath means, they are billed as:
“highly sensitive individuals, who have a keen ability to sense what people around them are thinking and feeling. The term empath can be used to describe a person that experiences a great deal of empathy, often to the point of taking on the pain of others at their own expense.”
We’re torn.
On the one hand, it’s a new day and age; one where individualism and artistic expression take preeminence over the old school, uniform means of being an “artist.” Put simply, shouldn’t Summer be granted the same pass others are given be themselves (quirks and all) on their own terms?
And yet, there’s a big part of us that eye-rolls. Because, the fact of the matter is that this is a business – one in which audience acquisition (aka building a fanbase) is what sustains careers. Is Summer in a position, early success and all, to be so steadfast about what she will and won’t do? We’re not so sure.
Looking at the trajectories of the Beyonce‘s, Rihanna‘s, and Ciara‘s before her (who kissed babies, waved to the masses, and generally covered all bases), there is a definite component to success that is more than dropping hot songs folk like and praise for the moment. The “job” of being an artist, celebrity, or whatever Summer’s angling for brings with it a degree of responsibility that it can be argued she’s neglecting with her words above.
But enough of our rambling. What are…