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‘Tumblr Can’t Fix This’: When Will Artists Stop Turning To Socials To Fight Their Battles?

The common theme with celebrity battles is they all seem to take place on social media. I get it, the nature of being an artist, celebrity or influencer is that whether you like it or not, the nuts and bolts of your life will be broadcast across the media. The public will see every detail and whilst we’re not often the most critical audience, we will still pick a side.

And boy, we’re going to argue this side ’til the cows come home.

This is modern popular culture and as petty as it is, I think it’s here to stay. Celebrity battles are like the staple ingredient to the common man – they’re easily digestible and we can find them anywhere.

The pervasive relatability to popular culture, and the battles that often brew among artists and celebrities mean we can all chime in on the conversation. Everyone can have their two cents’ worth.

Whilst I know this is doesn’t come as any surprise, I’m particularly sparked by this morning’s news. So what happened? Well Taylor Swift’s former record labels endured a takeover, meaning Swifty lost ownership of $300 million of her catalogue.

What else happened? Swifty posted a lengthy tell-all to her Tumblr, outlining the ‘incessant bullying’ and manipulation on behalf of Scott Braun and his most notable clients (including Justin Bieber). And don’t get me wrong, it’s not the content of this ‘battle’ that’s in question here.

That’s not everything. Justin Bieber turned to his own socials to firstly, half heartedly apologise to Swift. The apology was soon followed by a slew of accusing remarks, including that Swifty’s Tumblr post was a ‘plea for sympathy’ and a prompt for her fans to instigate bullying in support for her.

 

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Hey Taylor. First of all i would like to apologize for posting that hurtful instagram post, at the time i thought it was funny but looking back it was distasteful and insensitive.. I have to be honest though it was my caption and post that I screenshoted of scooter and Kanye that said “taylor swift what up” he didnt have anything to do with it and it wasnt even a part of the conversation in all actuality he was the person who told me not to joke like that.. Scooter has had your back since the days you graciously let me open up for you.! As the years have passed we haven’t crossed paths and gotten to communicate our differences, hurts or frustrations. So for you to take it to social media and get people to hate on scooter isn’t fair. What were you trying to accomplish by posting that blog? seems to me like it was to get sympathy u also knew that in posting that your fans would go and bully scooter. Anyway, One thing i know is both scooter and i love you. I feel like the only way to resolve conflict is through communication. So banter back and fourth online i dont believe solves anything. I’m sure Scooter and i would love to talk to you and resolve any conflict, pain or or any feelings that need to be addressed. Neither scooter or i have anything negative to say about you we truly want the best for you. I usually don’t rebuttal things like this but when you try and deface someone i loves character thats crossing a line..

A post shared by Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) on

Essentially, Bieber lashed out at Swifty for broadcasting the inner details of a record label scourge on Tumblr. Ironically though, Bieber proceeded to call out Swift in an Instagram post. Talk about calling the kettle…

And then, Yael Braun (Scooter Braun’s wife), turned to her own Instagram to call our Swift for ‘airing her dirty laundry’ on Tumblr.

 

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@taylorswift, I’m here to talk privately anytime.

A post shared by Yael Cohen Braun (@yael) on

Must I reiterate the irony in this? Why are they all turning to socials to call each other out for turning to socials? 

In a pretty scathing Instagram post, Yael publicly broadcasts her availability to ‘talk privately anytime’. And yet, it begs the question, can they all go ahead and talk privately then?

Whilst I’m probably a bit unhealthily frustrated by the fact that everyone seems to be turning to socials, and then calling each other out for it, social media isn’t necessarily to blame here. As we’ve seen, the majority of responses across the globe have been in solidarity with Taylor – and I agree with them. Social media offers us a platform to create unity, rather than divisiveness.

But please, it doesn’t take a genius to know that social media has the effect of blowing even the smallest scuffles into international ‘free for all’s’. So I have to ask, was it Swifty’s intention to publicise this?

It’s led me to think that the nature of this record label scourge, and the bullying and manipulation that’s in question, made her feel the only way to bring light to the truth was through broadcasting it to social media. Does this then say more about the way we solve conflict between each other, than it does about how we use social media?

Sources: Facebook, @yael, @justinbieber, GIPHY. 

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