Candidness is encouraged in today’s day and age. However, it can also cause chaos – just ask Halsey.
The newcomer rose to prominence on The Chainsmokers smash ‘Closer’ and hit #1 recently with her album ‘Hopeless Fountain Kingdom.’
During a promo interview with The Guardian (who also secured “that” controversial Tinashe feature), the singer made notable comments about Migos star Quavo (who features on her LP).
Having caught flack for his homophobic comments, Halsey (who is bisexual herself) took up for him and defended his intent. She said:
“I think he’s misunderstood. Just because I choose to be a socially conscious artist, and I’m pretty good at it, that doesn’t mean every artist is going to be equipped to be politically correct. I don’t think he’s inherently homophobic, I think he’s in a tough place of trying to explain what he means. I agree his apology was bullshit but I can’t police everybody.”
When the interviewer suggests that her album is one space she can police, the biracial 22-year-old used her response to take an unexpected jab at Iggy Azalea:
“Yes, I can. and there’s a lot of people I wouldn’t put on my record. Iggy Azalea: absolutely not. She had a complete disregard for black culture. Fucking moron. I watched her career dissolve and it fascinated me.”
As her words begun doing the rounds, it became clear that folk were not here for either of her comments. So much so that #HalseyIsCancelled begun to trend on Twitter.
Responding to the backlash, she took to Twitter to say…
Honestly? I didn’t know that Quavo had made homophobic comments when I collaborated him. We’ve never spoken a word to each other and +
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2017
+ I have no intention of pursuing a friendship there, unless he wants to make a legitimate apology.
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2017
I work tirelessly to represent & support marginalized communities I love & am a part of. I’m sorry if my actions have ever seemed otherwise.
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2017
I only meant to say that people can struggle being socially conscious if they don’t have the information/vocabulary. So we must educate them
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2017
And I’m proud to watch the young people around me work hard to educate themselves and others to stay woke every day.
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2017
I think thats an important point. I AM queer & I TRY to be understanding & want people to be educated. But im truly sorry for my misjudgment https://t.co/ESomRyiyBh
— h (@halsey) June 23, 2017
She was oddly unapologetic in regards to Iggy, tweeting and subsequently deleting the following…
“The quavo comments taken out of an off record convo about music industry homophobia. NOT a defense. Don’t regret the Iggy comments sorry.”
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Who put salt in her cereal?
Dragging Iggy is the definition of tired at this point and while she’s entitled to her views, they kinda feel catty for catty sake if she can’t be bothered to elaborate on why.
As for Migos, she’d have been better off manoeuvring away from the topic rather than that sloppy rationale.
Needless to say, someone clearly needs to sign up for Media Training 101.